This year's event was part of Unite the Lights, a global campaign that sought to convert the groundswell of sympathy and solidarity in the aftermath of the Mumbai tragedy, towards a commitment to decisive and concrete acts of goodness and kindness.

Condemning the targeting of the city's Chabad House as a "hateful and evil" act, Rabbi Kievman believed that good will prevail over evil and he described the slain Lubavitch emissaries Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife Rivka as "two heroes who were the antithesis of hate".

SMILES: Cllr Steve Rotheram meets Ian Cohen and daughter Marcy

Lord Mayor, Cllr Steve Rotheram, said it was "a privilege" to be with friends, noting that during his year in office he had joined the Jewish community for numerous events, "some happy, some poignant and some sad".

Blessings were recited by Merseyside Jewish Representative Council president and chairman Gordon Globe.

Doughnuts and chocolate Chanucah gelt were distributed to large crowd who were also entertained by a fire-eater.