Aleph Spreads Chanukah Light Across the Globe

As Jewish communities around the world grapple with grief following the tragic attack in Sydney, Aleph responded with a timeless Jewish answer: adding light. Throughout Chanukah, Aleph facilitated menorah lightings and holiday celebrations in prisons, military bases, and homes across the globe.

One of the most meaningful moments took place last Thursday inside a low-security federal prison in Florida, where Aleph hosted a special Family Unity Day. Instead of a standard prison visit, incarcerated fathers spent hours outdoors with their children—playing games, listening to music, doing crafts, and celebrating together.

“For many of these kids, it was the first time in years they were able to run around outside and play with their father,” said Rabbi Aaron Lipskar, Aleph’s CEO. “We’re deeply grateful to the Bureau of Prisons leadership for working with us to make this program possible.”

Beyond Florida, Aleph’s efforts reached incarcerated Jews across the United States and around the world. Each year, Aleph dispatches rabbinical volunteers to prisons nationwide to bring the Chanukah spirit and human connection to those who are often unseen. This year, 95 volunteers visited more than 140 facilities across 27 states, lighting menorahs and spending meaningful time with Jewish incarcerated individuals. One participant shared, “You brightened our hearts in such a dark time. In all my years, I have never felt a miracle like this.”

In addition, Aleph shipped 1,456 menorahs, 1,787 boxes of candles, 1,600 dreidels and 1,809 chocolate bars to prison facilities and military bases across the globe.

Internationally, Jews behind bars celebrated Chanukah in countries including Peru, Germany, Argentina, Taiwan, and beyond. In Ukraine, after weeks of Aleph’s advocacy and in partnership with Rabbi Yonatan Markovitch, Chief Rabbi of Kiev and Rabbi of Ukraine’s prison system, prison officials issued a region-wide directive allowing Jewish incarcerated individuals to light the menorah for the first time. Through these combined efforts, the light of Chanukah was able to shine even behind prison walls.

Aleph’s care extended to families impacted by incarceration as well. Through its Chanukah gift program, When You Wish Upon a Jewish Star, more than 250 children received personalized gifts chosen just for them, along with a clear message: you are seen and you matter. One mother wrote, “My son was kissing the gift, thinking his father wrapped it and picked it out. Today, we had light in our house.”

At the same time, Aleph military chaplains—shluchim serving Jewish service members around the world—brought the light of Chanukah to military bases near and far. From Japan to the Pentagon, Jewish soldiers were able to experience the warmth of the holiday, even while stationed far from home.

To learn more Aleph Institute or to volunteer, visit www.aleph-institute.org