The Most Bizarre Chanukah Experience

By Rafi G.

How many Chanukah posts have you seen?
How many reels?
A lot?
Me too.
How many Chanukah articles did you open?
None?
Yeah, same.
Well, if you’re still here, reading this one, you made a good choice!

As Lubavitchers we do a lot of bizarre things that we think are normal. Like asking strangers on the street if they’re Jewish, and to follow that, we shove candles into their bag! Like what? Or even better, running after someone through Times Square train station, confidently convincing them that putting on tefillin will only take 25 seconds! And then proceed to take out 2 black boxes, and make believe it’s normal to wrap leather cow straps around someone else’s arm that you just chased for about 5 minutes.

It’s not normal, and it is bizarre.
In the most profound way.

The Rebbe taught us to take the world by storm, and to push past normal into the realm of bizarre. The closer we get to Moshiach, the more bizarre we become. The stronger the world will fight against us, the more bizarre we’ll fight back. Fight back in a way of warmth, in a way of light, in a way of beauty. In a way of love.
Bizarre in a way that makes the Rebbe proud.

On the sixth night of Chanukah, I did something really bizarre. it wasn’t just handing out a menorah on the street. Or shoving neshek into someone’s face. I dived into Rikers Island to a room full of yidden. There were men and women everywhere I looked! There were families, volunteers from all walks of life, the chaplains, the officers – my goodness, this ain’t your typical Chanukah party!

When we planned the program with the chaplaincy department, we told them we’d bring everything with us. And we meant the decorations too! So up went the blow up Chanukah menorah, massive signs, draidels on the tables, confetti and face paint!

We put up a huge menorah, with super tall candles, and had an inmate make the brachos, while everyone answered in unison, a loud “amen!” Slowly but surely, a circle formed around the menorah, and everyone beamed as we sang Haneiros Halalu. At the end, we broke out in a joyous and harmonious dance. Thank you to Avigdor Zeitlin, Avi Bernstein, and Zalmy Niggen for the beautiful music accompaniment. They played several festive songs, as we danced and held hands in the most wild and spectacular way.

I went to find a seat, to converse with some inmates, and ta da! The tables were set with an array of food and drinks, elegantly set for this occasion. Way better than the food you will find in the Kiddish club closet! Latkes, sweet donuts, savory donuts, deli, dips, rolls, chips, cookies, water and soda, and so much more.

While I was talking to my new friend, I heard everyone cheering, so I swiftly turned around and saw Eliyahu Joseph standing on Nussi Konig’s shoulders juggling fire! Wooooooah! These 2 talented magicians went around playing dazzling card tricks and held the crowd with their masterful skill and expertise.
During this time, a few friends and I walked inmates over to the corner of the room where tens of mivtzoyim Menorah’s were set up. It was actually humbling to say the 3 brachos, word by word, and watched as they physically brought more light into this world.

What happened next almost blew me off my chair. That’s how funny he was! Surprise, comedian Yoely Leibowitz came to entertain us all. He was actually hilarious – funnier than you being able to smell the color 9!

I got word that the program finishes off with singing Ani Ma’amin. That’s how the program proceeded. It was inspiring and uplifting, and crazy to witness a moment of sincerity and unity like this.

While we were packing up, an inmate came over to me, and with tears in his eyes, he said, “Just like in the Bible, Abraham told G-d he had to go because there were guests who showed up. So to you, you are like my angels that dropped everything you were doing to come and take care of us. To celebrate with us. To show your love for us. To bring light and warmth to our souls, and lift our morale. My girlfriend that was here had tears in her eyes. Not tears of sadness, but tears of joy.”

Now is this not bizarre or what?
This is hands down the most bizarre Chanukah experience I’ve ever had!

I’d like to take the opportunity to thank Rabbi Zalman and Shmuly Tevel for throwing together a bizarre Chanukah mivtzoyim for the inmates this year!
Additionally, thank you to Rabbi Kastel and Lubavitch Youth Organization.
Thank you to Rabbi Hollander and Rabbi Yoely Weiser from L’asurim for your tremendous input and activity in this peulah.

Thank you to the chaplains Rabbi Kretzmer-seed, Rabbi Hecht, and Rabbi Simring, together with the entire correctional staff of Rikers Island, ensuring that all the inmates have their religious needs met and taken care of.

Looking forward to celebrating the next event, with everyone on the outside in Yerushalayim!