1 year ago

Illuminating Europe with 100,000 Chanukah Lights

A glimpse at the Chanukah kits that the Rabbinical Centre of Europe send to hundreds of Jewish communities. The Rabbinical Centre of Europe sends some 100,000 Chanukah kits to about 600 Jewish communities throughout Europe • After completing the complex operation, and while visiting the Jewish communities in Kazakhstan, Rabbi Arie Goldberg, CEO of the RCE, speaks about the historic scope of spreading the light of Judaism • Full Story, Photos

Over the last few weeks, some 100,000 Chanukah kits were distributed to hundreds of communities throughout Europe. The project was initiated by the Rabbinical Centre of Europe, which works tirelessly to illuminate the darkness of Europe with the light of Judaism.

As the complex logistical operation winds down, we get a glimpse into the organization that works tirelessly for the Jews of Europe wherever they are. Eight months before the Chanukah holiday, they placed a huge order for tens of thousands of menorahs to light up the darkness in every corner of Europe. In fact, during the Chanukah holiday they will already finalize the details for the huge shipments of the “Kezayit Matzah” kits that will soon be shipped to hundreds of thousands of homes in Europe, so that as many Jews as possible can observe the mitzvot of the Torah.

The rabbis and leaders of the RCE don’t rest for a moment as they are constantly working to ensure that as many Jews as possible get to observe the holiday mitzvot with hiddur and joy. Likewise, before Purim, tens of thousands of sets of mishloach manot and Megillat Esther in several languages will make their way to tens of thousands of homes in Europe. In some cases, even the neighbors of these people do not know that they are Jews.

As we speak to Rabbi Arie Goldberg, CEO of the RCE, it is hard not to be impressed by the dedication and sacrifice. “More than six months ago, we were busy ordering the Chanukah kits, which without a doubt illuminate the darkness in Europe,” he says. “The Chanukah candles distribution project started four years ago; this is the fourth year that we are doing this wonderful initiative. The logistics are complex and there are major expenses, but at the end of the day the goal is to light the flame in as many Jewish homes throughout Europe as possible.”

It is truly amazing that four years have passed since the RCE began sending tens of thousands of Chanukah kits to hundreds of Jewish communities throughout Europe. The kits are sent out from the logistics center located in Belgium, and are distributed throughout Europe by the Bas”ad organization, directed by the indefatigable Rabbi Yehuda Reichman.

The kits are dispatched from Belgium to European communities, where the rabbis pass them on to the Jews of the cities scattered across the continent. This is an unprecedented operation, and just this year, about 100,000 Chanukah kits were distributed to European Jews. The kit contains a menorah, candles, a dreidel and an information leaflet with the text of the brachot for lighting in four languages – English, French, German and Russian.

It is worthwhile to reflect on the beginning, to give a perspective of the growth and progress that has been made. Four years ago, the RCE decided to start distributing Chanukah kits, mishloach manot and kezayit matzah. That year, about 35,000 kits were ordered and distributed at lightning speed. Within a year there was a surge in requests, and now, three years later, approximately 100,000 Chanukah kits have been distributed – an extraordinary number.

For the fourteenth year, the RCE will be hosting a special trip for Bar Mitzvah children whose parents are unable to provide a Bar Mitzvah celebration for them and for those who are far from observing Torah and mitzvot. The RCE brings them on a special visit to the Land of Israel and holds a gala celebration for them. They are gifted with a pair of tefillin, sponsored by Mr. Rami Levy, and tour the country with RCE leaders from communities in Europe.

It turns out that illuminating the darkness in Europe is not just a slogan. The RCE staff works day and night on behalf of Diaspora Jews, to make sure that they remember that they belong to the Jewish people.

In the moving conversation with Rabbi Arie Goldberg, he says that specifically now, when assimilation in Europe is on the rise, he sees the distribution of Chanukah kits as an extremely important task. “When we remind Jews that they are indeed Jews, it is something that cannot be explained in words; it has long term implications as we draw them back to their roots. This is an enormous privilege.”

It should be noted that the distribution of Chanukah kits is an integral part of RCE’s activities around the year. Only in recent years, thirty chesed centers were inaugurated throughout Europe, and have helped thousands of Jews. In addition, dozens of mikvaot were built with the support of the RCE, which also helps supervise and maintain them. The RCE is remains up to date about the development of the communities, and is always aiming to strengthen, encourage and elevate Jews.

The one in charge of coordinating all this work during the entire year is the chairman of the RCE, Rabbi Menachem Margolin. Together with CEO Rabbi Arie Goldberg, who works tirelessly for thousands of European Jews wherever they are, and the vice president of the RCE Rabbi Yosef Bainhaker, who does not rest for a moment, and is constantly working on RCE projects, they have the privilege of illuminating the darkness of Europe.