Photo Credits Hadassah Esther
Video Credits Ben Bresky
At Jerusalem’s First Station, hundreds of people came out in the rain on the 4th night of Chanukah to commemorate the 16th yahrzeit of Levi Hendel z’l. They also gathered to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Chabad of Baka-Beit Levi and the Friendship Circle of South Jerusalem, established by Levi’s brother, Rabbi Avraham Hendel, together with his wife Nechama Dina, to continue Levi’s light and legacy.
Levi z’l was one of the three temimim who passed away in a tragic car accident, while en route to Chanukah mivtzaim at an army base in Eilat in 2006.
The stars of the night were the children and volunteers of the Friendship Circle of South Jerusalem. One of the teenage members, Raziel Epstein, lit the huge menorah with his devoted second-year volunteers, Ari Schottenstein and Avichai Teitelbaum. The crowd enthusiastically cheered them on!
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There are currently 100 volunteers visiting 50 families on a weekly basis to provide friendship and inclusion for children with special needs, in addition to a wide range of events and activities which take place for the families and volunteers throughout the year. The volunteers of the Friendship Circle of South Jerusalem are mostly students of various seminaries and yeshivos, such as Mayanot, MMY, Lindenbaum, TVA, the Chabad boys yeshiva CBA, and the Kedma volunteer organization. They put their hearts and souls into this chesed and forge bonds that last a lifetime. At this year’s Chanukah concert, there was a volunteer alumni from over 5 years ago who moved to Israel and still keeps in touch with her Friendship Circle buddy.
A fire and light show enthralled the crowd, and the concert with young super-star, Chaim Zippel, included great simchah and lively dancing.
“This was pure joy!” Pam Solomon, a recent immigrant from Denver and now an active member at Chabad of Baka, enthused. “What a fantastic, inclusive event.”
As per the annual tradition, there was a menorah lighting with donuts and dancing every night at First Station, organized by Chabad of Baka. Girls from Machon Shoshanat Yerushalayim came almost every evening and helped distribute hundreds of donuts and menorahs.
For more exciting programs and upcoming events, visit chabadofbaka.com.
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The volunteers at Friendship Circle of South Jerusalem are so devoted and full of energy and love. What a gift to be a part of this inclusive community!