Close to two years since the war in Ukraine, Jewish communities are preparing for Chanukah, with a particular emphasis on spreading its message of hope and light.
At the forefront of these activities are the Chabad rabbis who are working with the Jewish Relief Network Ukraine (JRNU) to provide support and encouragement for Jewish life throughout the year.
As part of the preparations for Chanukah, thousands of Jews will receive special kits containing food and sweets, humanitarian aid items, menorahs, a Chanukah booklet from JLI, and a children’s booklet from Darkeinu.
Additionally, each package will include ‘Chanukah Gelt,’ following the directive of the Rebbe. The boxes, packed and ready for distribution, have already been sent out directly to the Jewish communities.
The celebration of Chanukah will be publicized through a social media campaign and street advertisements. “The combination of these two approaches will create an atmosphere of one large community celebrating the festival of Chanukah and will encourage Jews from more distant circles to join the existing activities in the community,” explained JRNU.
This year, for the first time since the war, processions of cars adorned with colorful menorahs branded in Ukrainian will be driving around cities in a parade.
In most cities, central candle lightings will also occur, with the participation of governors and city officials, under heavy security. These community events will include solidarity prayers for the Jews in Israel due to their current war.
“We have both a central lighting and a festive event in the community,” reported Rabbi Mordechai Levenhartz from Chabad in Kyiv. “Our goal this year is to reach every Jew by visiting households before Chanukah and presenting them with the splendid Menorah kit.”
Mykolaiv’s Chief Rabbi Sholom Gottlieb shared that activities will encompass all age groups. “We are preparing for activities on a wide scale,” he stated. “It involves activities with all ages in the community, fascinating and engaging events for families and different age groups simultaneously.”
Rabbi Gottlieb added, “We are organizing home visits, also with the assistance of local youths and Jews. We divided the city into different areas through a well-organized system of precise addresses, and we plan to reach every Jew with the Chanukah kit so that no community member will not have Chanukah shining in their home.”
