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The Hanukkah holiday began on time and cheerfully, in the warm company of members of the Jewish community of the city of Khmelnytsky. The holiday was organized by the Khmelnytsky Charitable Foundation "Hesed Besht", putting a piece of their soul into this cause, which made the gathering warm and friendly, full of an interesting program.
Before the holiday began, circumstances developed in such a way that they made both the organizers and the participants a little nervous. But everything turned out in the best way and was very symbolic for everyone. So, a few hours before the lighting of the first candle, the lights in the neighborhood were turned off - a consequence of the energy saving policy. The participants of the celebration gathered at dusk, illuminated the way with mobile phones and sat down in the hall quite carefully. The time for lighting approached, and the light still did not appear, but people did not feel much discomfort: friendly conversations at tables in companies under the light of flashlights added piquancy to the approaching holiday. Reb Nom read the blessing over the candles, the first of them was lit and... - the neighborhood was illuminated with electric light. Most of those present classified this as an undoubted sign, a modern Hanukkah miracle.
There were a large number of donuts on the tables, which were specially ordered by the Hesed Besht Charitable Foundation for the holiday. According to tradition, on Hanukkah, dishes fried in oil should be consumed. Therefore, everyone present was served other dishes of the appropriate plan - fried pancakes, potato pancakes, breaded dishes.
The program began with a quiz based on the holiday. Participants who gave the correct answers were awarded symbolic “hanukkah gelt” – chocolate coins in gold foil. The youngest participants of the holiday – our children – were especially happy with such gifts. It is not for nothing that Hanukkah is sometimes called a “children’s” holiday, because light and sweets, gifts and games with a dreidel are to the liking of little ones. Meanwhile, adults had the opportunity to take part in the fun designed specifically for them. These included festive puzzle-making, participation in the charitable Hanukkah lottery, and an “open microphone” of greetings from all present.
Anatoliy Muzyka and Kira Nanba sang for the audience, and the Foundation volunteer Oleksiy Radetsky played the accordion. Children and adults had the opportunity to dance to their favorite Jewish melodies as well as to contemporary songs about peace, brotherhood, and the celebration of Hanukkah.
The culmination of the event was a charity lottery. The prizes were absolutely appropriate for the holiday: flour, oil, jam, and the mega prizes were large packages of sweet donuts. The children in the draw played the role of independent experts: they drew numbers from the lottery throne and gave away prizes when they won.
The celebration of the first candle was a great success. But this is far from the end - sweet donuts will be given to the Foundation's clients who cannot move independently. They will be brought by the patronage workers of our organization. The same gifts will be given to clients of the risk group, clients of children's programs. There is also an event for children and adolescents in the Thiya Community Center. After all, Hanukkah is eight days of light, warmth and goodness, each of which is festive for Jews!
