Released Time Illuminates New York City on Chanukah

Released Time illuminated New York City throughout Chanukah, bringing light and warmth into more than 700 homes through house parties and menorah lightings for public school students and their families.

This large-scale initiative was a special Chanukah project of the NCFJE’s Released Time Program. As Rabbi Shimon Hecht, member of the NCFJE Executive Committee, explained, “This is exactly what Released Time does: Jewish education in school and Jewish life at home, making it a full living experience for the children.”

Each party followed a simple yet powerful format: the teachers gathered local families together with their friends and neighbors to light the menorah, sing Chanukah songs, play dreidel with the children, and enjoy donuts and latkes. Every child received a surprise Chanukah gift box, and many homes turned into long-night inspirations, where families asked questions, shared stories, and connected in a meaningful way.

In Marine Park, at the Cohen home, nine-year-old Sammy proudly lit the menorah alongside his parents. “I get to learn this at Released Time,” Sammy said, “but doing it in my house with my family and neighbors is way better.”

His mother, Rachel Cohen, shared, “These rabbis have a great relationship with our kids. When they came into our home, it felt natural. Chanukah became something we experienced together, not just something our child learned about in Released Time.”

Beyond the celebrations themselves, many visits had a lasting impact. Mezuzahs were put up in numerous homes, and fathers committed to studying Torah with their children’s rabbis for the first time, creating a permanent expression of Jewish identity that extended well beyond the visit.

Rabbi Sadya Engel, who oversaw the project, explained, “Released Time Chanukah parties are a very special moment in the year. They allow the teachers to build on the relationships they have with students and extend them to their families.”

By the end of Chanukah, the numbers spoke for themselves—more than 700 homes visited and menorahs lit, with over three thousand latkes and donuts shared by families and friends.

This is the power of Released Time—lighting up New York City one home at a time, one child at a time.

Building on the success of Chanukah, Released Time, under the leadership of Rabbi Zirkind, its Program Director, is currently organizing two separate day camps in Brooklyn and Queens.

All the Chanukah initiatives—the lighting of menorahs, the installation of mezuzahs, and the commitment to Torah learning—stand as a merit (zchus) for the complete and speedy recovery (refuah shleima) of NCFJE’s Chairman, Harav Sholem DovBer ben Chava.