Uruguay President Sends Letter

In a letter to Rabbi Shemtov, Director of Chabad of Uruguay, after excusing himself for not being able to attend the public Menorah lighting ceremony in Montevideo, the President of Uruguay, Dr. Tabaré Vázquez writes:

“In this holiday in which your People celebrate the victory of the Jews over the Greek governors, which implies first and foremost a spiritual victory of faith against the powerful Hellenism, expressed in the miracle of the sacramental olive oil which remained lit for 8 days, one can find the mystery of Humanity, the achievement of the weak confronting the powerful, and faith confronting intolerance.”

Reading of the Presidential greeting by Arq. Avi Sztryk kicked off the Chanukah celebrations organized by Chabad of Uruguay.

Following its unbroken tradition of the past 30 years, Chabad of Uruguay organized the public Menorah lighting of Montevideo on the second night of Chanukah.

The event was honored this year by the participation of the Mayor of Montevideo, Mr. Daniel Martinez, who, accompanied by Rabbi Eliezer Shemtov, lit the Shamash or central flame.

The first of the 2 lights was then lit by the Israeli Ambassador to Uruguay, Her excellency Nina Ben Ami who was accompanied by Rabbi Mendy Shemtov and Mrs. Gusti Yehoshua Braverman, the Chair of the World Zionist Organization’s Department for Diaspora Activities.

The second light was lit by local community leaders.

The children’s program was run by Mrs. Rochi Shemtov.

In addition to the public lighting in Montevideo, over 1,000 menorahs, candles and brochures were distributed to the students in the Jewish schools, thanks to the generous contribution of Mr. Carlos Persitz, in memory of his parents, Mr. Héctor Persitz and Mrs. Berta Elenter de Persitz

This year 3 new public Menorahs were organized by Rabbi Mendy Shemtov: at the International Airport of Montevideo, at the International Airport of Punta del Este and at the entrance to the World Trade Center of Montevideo, where he provides Torah classes to young professionals on a weekly basis.