Almost 2,000 worshippers flocked to Chanukah events across Essex and east London.

Chabad, an Orthodox Jewish Hasidic movement, held seven public Menorah lighting events, its largest and busiest and Chanukah yet.

For the first time, a public Menorah lighting was held in Woodford, with 250 people in attendance.

Rabbi Mordechai Wollenberg, Rabbi at Woodford Forest United Synagogue, said him and his wife were overwhelmed both the numbers and which individuals had chosen to come out to join this event.

Chabad North East London and Essex, led by Rabbi Aryeh and Devorah Sufrin MBE, staged their first public Menorah lighting on Gants Hill roundabout over 30 years ago.

Rabbi Sufrin said: “For many years, our Menorah on Gants Hill was the only public Menorah in the area, today, to have seven Menorahs with seven public events which certainly shows that this community is alive and well and ready to come out with pride to these gatherings”.

Mrs Devorah Sufrin added: “It is a pure pleasure to see from humble beginnings how hundreds of participants brave the cold to share in Jewish Unity and Pride at each of these events”.

A total of seven public Menorah lightings and events were held in Buckhurst Hill, Loughton, Chigwell, Barkingside, Epping, Gants Hill and Woodford.

Between all the events over 1,850 people participated, young and old together.

Over 1,500 doughnuts were consumed, 2,500 latkes and 65 litres of hot chocolate.

Rabbi Yossi Posen of Chabad Epping said: “Chanukah is one of those really beautiful festivals where Chabad have found a way of literally bringing the warmth and joy out to the streets where we can reach people who may not have been touched or effected otherwise.”