Tomchei Tmimim Ocean Parkway (TTOP) talmidim and their families held a moving Grand Hadlakah on Sunday evening, channeling the message of Chanukah into concrete action following the tragic attack in Sydney earlier that day.
Originally, the Grand Hadlakah was planned to feature a full-scale, seven-foot menorah constructed from custom 3D-printed blocks, a project that was entirely designed and created in-house by TTOP.
However, when news emerged early that frigid Sunday morning of the horrific attack in Australia, it became immediately clear that more was needed: an increase in Torah and mitzvos, right away, right there and then. As the Rebbe taught, a little light pushes away a lot of darkness.
The decision was made to pivot. A large wooden menorah replaced the original design, and hundreds of mitzvah commitment notes were printed and distributed to talmidim and their families, inviting them to take on additional acts of goodness and kindness for those affected.
Throughout the days of Chanukah, the notes are being physically stapled onto the outdoor wooden menorah, alongside the names of the Sydney victims הי״ד, and a refuah sheleimah for all those injured.
What emerged was not just a menorah, but a powerful response to tragedy: transforming pain into light, and concern into action. One mitzvah at a time.
