Most Friday over the past several years, R’ Dov Moshe Newmark goes on mivtzoim in downtown Naples, Florida, reaching out to shopkeepers and visitors to put on Tefillin, distribute Shabbos candles, offer a mezuzah, and share a dvar Torah. While distributing Chanukah menorahs he was flagged down by a man who waved and said: “I’m so glad to see you, I’m Richard Steinberg, I am Jewish too!” • Full Story
“Today I visited the Estonian Jewish Community,” Mr. Alar Karis wrote, “and lit a candle for the Chanukah Festival together with the congregation and community representatives. This fire symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and the courage to stand firm in your faith. Light brings clarity and hope in even the darkest of times, just like education and knowledge. Light is always more beneficial than darkness” • Full Story, Photos
For the first time since the arrival of Shluchim Rabbi Yakov and Mrs. Hana Poliwada to the small Panamanian town of Boquete in 2016, the town’s Mayor Joswar Alvarado appeared at Chabad’s yearly public menorah lighting. “This is definitely a milestone and honor in the recognition of our work in the community”, said Rabbi Poliwoda after describing the joyous event that included sing-along music, dougnuts and latkes for all. Uniquely, the menorah remains installed all year-round in the town’s central park – a standing testimony of the good will between its Jewish residents and the broader community • Photos
Chanukah in Springfield, Illinois was one for the books! Chabad of Springfield, directed by Rabbi and Mrs. Mendy Turen, was full of action from the start of Chanukah until it’s final moments; from programs to house visits, from Menorah lightings to a Grand Menorah Parade. Images captured by Yisroel Rambach • Full Story, Photos
Chabad Lubavitch of Southwest Florida under the leadership of Shliach Rabbi Yitzchok Minkowicz held their grand community Chanukah celebration at the prestigious Castle Golf 18 Hole Golf Course with delicious Chanukah doughnuts, hot potato latkes & plenty of drinks, as well as clown & face painting with the highlight of lighting the grand Chanukah menorah by members of the community • Photos
The Jewish community of Dnipro, Ukraine converged on the city’s central square the seventh night of Chanukah for a large public menorah lighting. This comes just several days after the now well-known incident where anti-semitic vandals toppled the menorah overnight. Those gathered were addressed by the city’s senior Shliach Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetzky • Full Story, Photos, Video