Chanukah at Rikers: Lighting up the Abyss

by Berry S.

Rikers hit it off the charts this Chanukah.
Any way you spin the dreidel, you will always land on gimmel.

For the very first time, Rikers Island was illuminated with 6 massive, 12 foot, light up menorahs. Driving through the island at night, you become invigorated with hope and strength. Just imagine a family visitor leaving visitation, with uncertainty looming, and there, on the festival of light greeted by a large, well lit Menorah.

One may wonder, why does Rikers need so many light-up menorahs? If you only knew just how large the island was, you would ask, why are there only 6? There should be at least double that! Rikers Island is 413 acres, with over 5,000 PIC’S and about 7,000 officers and staff personnel. With an Island this size, and number count of this magnitude, 6 menorahs only begin to shed a light.

On the 6th night of Chanukah, Chabad of Rikers organized an impressive event hosting 250 people. If you want to see what a Lechatchila Ariber program looks like, join us next time at Rikers.

The room was converted into an exciting Chanukah experience, with beautiful new signage and Chanukah decorations all around the room.

Every single yid got to light his own menorah individually. More than that, each yid got to light his own menorah, every night of Chanukah! Not to be taken for granted.

Yidden were singing and dancing as if it were Simchas Torah. The seudas Yom tov, donuts, meat, the quality and variety of food raised the bar to a whole new level.

The music orchestra was top-notch. We were so fortunate to have Yossi Cohen, Yehuda Piamenta, and Yoni Lorber transform the crowd. Top-of-the-line musicians we had!

There was an inspiring and uplifting Rebbe video bringing the message to PIC’S and staff alike that the correction department is here to make people better.

Of course we had a magician, the talented Moshe Rotberg uniting and entertaining the group at the same time.

During the traditional Ani Ma’amin which we all sing with arms around each other’s shoulders, there was a fellow who stood there shivering. A volunteer assured him everything will be OK – these peulos are the movers and shakers of the island.

During the program, a PIC came up to one of the volunteers and with tears on his eyes said, “Rabbi, it felt so good to pray the evening service! I haven’t done this in so long!”

At another point during the program, another fellow came up to one of our volunteers and said, “Rabbi, that book you gave out last time (Healthy in Body Mind & Spirit by SIE) was amazing! I read it cover to cover!” And with a warm smile on the rabbi’s face he said, “My friend, I brought another book for you and all your friends to take back with you. It’s called On Purpose.”

And with that, we handed out this special memento to each PIC as they headed back to the housing department. Literally taking Chanukah with them.

This is how Chabad runs programs on the Island. Every Yom tov we raise the bar.

While this article was being written, one the organizers got a phone call. It was PIC calling from their cold, 4×4 cell, locked behind bars. Sam has a window in his cell. Bored with nothing to do, he peered out the window, and saw our bright, large, and beautiful menorah, standing near the facility right next to his. Within the bare, dark walls of jail, his heart became warm. A smile spread across his face. Re-inspired to connect with Hashem, he picked up the phone to give our organizers a call. Sam was just sentenced, which means he is being transferred shortly. He asked, “Will you guys come visit and make programs at my new facility upstate just like the ones you make here at Rikers?”

Chevre, from behind the bars on Rikers, our Jewish brethren are asking for more. We are going above and beyond to bring them everything we can. Please partner with us so that we can follow through on our word to the PICs at Rikers.

Here’s the link to our fundraiser that’s currently running:
https://gofund.me/72193fb8

On behalf of the team, I’d like to extend a special thanks to:
The Rebbe for constantly inspiring us to do more then we think we are capable of.

Thank you to Rabbi Zalman and Shmuly Tevel for arranging and coordinating this entire event. Thank you to Rabbi Kastel and Lubavitch Youth Organization. A huge thank you to R’ Yoily Weiser from La’asurim who invested tremendously in this program. A special thank you to R’ Hollander from La’asurim who always does so much for the yidden on the island. Thank you to Esther Rochel for your involvement and assistance in bringing the program together.

Thank you to our musicians Yehudah Piamenta, Yossi Cohen, and Yoni Lorber. Thank you to Moshe Rotberg. And of course thank to you our incredible chaplains who do so much for the PIC’S on Rikers; Rabbi Hecht, Rabbi Kretzmer-seed, and Rabbi Simring.

Thank you to all those who are partnering with us, and allowing us to celebrate with everybody very soon on the outside with Moshiach!