Ukrainian City Flooded with Chanukah Light

This year, the lights of Chanukah lit up the streets and homes of Kharkov, Ukraine more than ever before.

Despite the political unrest in the country, the Chanukah spirit was brighter than ever – from home visits to the elderly, public menorah lightings, student and women’s programs,  school and kindergarten programs and a grand Menorah parade.

On the first night of Chanukah, the program began in Kharkov’s Great Choral Synagogue – with a concert by the Or Avner Chabad Day School and Kindergarten. Fireworks filled the air as the large Menorah on Pushkinskaya St. was lit by Rabbi Moishe Moskovitz. Rabbi Moskovitz spread the Rebbe’s message of lighting up the darkness by each of us adding one more good deed.

The second night of Chanukah’s event was on the main street of Sumskaya in front of the Opera Theater. Hundreds of people enjoyed doughnuts and watched the amazing fireworks, which lit up the symbol of Kharkov – the ‘Zerkalnaya Struya’ fountain.

The menorah parade this year made a first time stop on the Kharkov Freedom Square – one of the largest in Europe. Dancing in front of Lenin to Chassidic melodies as the Menorahs on the Cars shone brightly was definitely a spiritual victory over the darkness of Communism .

The Daffy Department Store had a menorah the entire Chanukah, and special lightings and mivtzoyim throughout the day.

In the Avek Plaza in the city center, a packed crowd enjoyed a fire show on the 6th night of Chanukah.

The university students participating in Chabad’s ‘Stars’ program had a fun Chanukah club – full of prizes and surprises. The Nshei Chabad had a program dedicated to Miracles …leaving everyone inspired to bring the miracle of Chanukah into their lives.

It was truly a Chanukah that will be remembered for many years to come.