6 months ago

Despite the Cold: Chanukah of Miracles and the Light of Geulah in Kostanay

Central menorah lightings, public pirsumei nisa throughout the city, home visits, festive gatherings and farbrengens, and the distribution of Chanukah kits and menorahs to Jews across the region — all led by the shliach and Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Zalmanov, and his family • Full Story, Photos

By Chabadinfo Reporter

In preparation for Chanukah, many Chanukah kits were distributed to Jews in the cities of Kostanay, Petropavlovsk, Rudny, Lisakovsk, Zhitikara, and additional towns and settlements throughout the Kostanay region in Kazakhstan.

The kits included menorahs, candles, an impressive brochure titled “Chanukah – The Light of Redemption,” and Russian-language reading materials. In addition, holiday candies, sweets, kosher products, sufganiyot (Chanukah doughnuts), and dreidels were distributed — bringing the joy of the festival into many Jewish homes.

Publicizing Chanukah and the Sheva Mitzvos

Hundreds of posters were displayed throughout the city of Kostanay — at building entrances and on the outer doors of private homes — publicizing Chanukah and the Sheva Mitzvos, as part of spreading the light of the holiday and its universal message of peace and faith to the world.

Pirsumei Nisa in the Freezing Cold & Public Menorah Lightings in the City

Despite the intense cold, the shliach Rabbi Menachem Mendel Zalmanov lit the Chanukah candles in public spaces throughout the city. As in cities across the globe, people gathered even in the freezing temperatures, inspired by the shluchim of the Rebbe, who cares for every Jew in every remote corner of the world and brings the meaning of the holiday.

A giant menorah nearly seven meters high, illuminated with brilliant light, stood proudly in the city. In addition, another menorah lighting was held with live flames, accompanied by a spectacular light-fireworks display and giant dreidel dances — all in anticipation and heartfelt prayer for the complete Redemption and the imminent revelation of Moshiach Tzidkeinu.

Jewish pride and Chassidic warmth were deeply felt throughout the event.

“HaNeirot Halalu” and Divrei Torah — The Festival of Geulah

Following the lighting, HaNeirot Halalu was sung with warmth and emotion, accompanied by live music.

Words of Torah and Chassidus were shared about the Month of Geulah — a month rich with Chassidic holidays and days of redemption of the Chabad Rebbes, the Nesi’im of the Lubavitch dynasty.

Menorah Lightings in Playgrounds and Special Activities for Children

Throughout the days of Chanukah, central menorah lightings were held in children’s playgrounds. Activities included building menorahs from LEGO, engaging programs for children, home visits, Chanukah vehicles, and the spreading of the holiday light across the city.

Numerous home visits were conducted among Jews of the city and surrounding areas. Special visits were also made to elderly and lonely women, who received menorahs, candles, Chanukah gelt, elegant dreidel gift sets, and holiday packages — bringing warmth and joy into many homes.

Thirty-Six Years of Shlichus

This Chanukah marked thirty-six years since the beginning of the shlichus of Rabbi Zalman HaKohen Abelsky, Chief Rabbi of Moldova and Chișinău, and the first shliach to the countries of the Former Soviet Union. His shlichus revitalized Jewish life in Chișinău and Moldova and became a model and source of inspiration for all the countries of the FSU.

In a special video program, Jews shared — in Russian — their personal stories of the great Chanukah miracle they experienced when Rabbi Abelsky arrived in their communities. They described the awe of seeing a leader of the generation, with a white beard and radiant countenance — a sight they had only dreamed of seeing at the time of the revelation of Moshiach.

They testified that they heard clearly from him that all the prophecies of the Rebbe MH”M, Nasi Hador, are being fulfilled one by one, and that we are living in years of miracles, in which the actions of Moshiach Tzidkeinu are openly visible in the world.

With great emotion, they recalled the giant menorah placed by the shliach near the government building, and the courage and Jewish pride shown — all stemming from faith, self-sacrifice, and preparation for welcoming Moshiach Tzidkeinu in actual reality.

Learning, Children’s Programs, and Ongoing Activities

Classes on the meaning of Chanukah, children’s kits, and additional activities were held throughout the holiday of Redemption for the Jews of Kostanay and the surrounding cities, organized by the shluchim family — Rabbi Menachem Mendel Zalmanov, his wife, and their children, the young shluchim — who actively instill Jewish pride among all who come to Beit Chabad Lubavitch of Kostanay.