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Chabad of Baka Remebers Levi Hendel OBM

Chanukah is an especially meaningful time for Chabad of Baka, which was founded in memory of Levi Hendel ob’m, one of the temimim who passed away en route to Chanukah mivtzaim in 2006. Levi Hendel was 13 years old at the time. He and two other Chabad volunteers, Yonatan Biton and Moshe Golan, lost their lives in a car accident on the road from Eilat.

They were on their way to a volunteer program on an IDF army base to bring donuts, menorahs and the warmth of Chanukah to Israeli soldiers.

Levi’s brother, Rabbi Avraham Hendel, and his wife Dina made aliyah to Yerushalayim on Chanukah of 2007 to open the English speaking Chabad center, commemorating Levi z’l and memoralizing his short but very productive life.

Every Chanukah, Chabad of Baka, otherwise known as Beit Levi, seeks to illuminate the Jerusalem neighborhood with the light of the holiday. Rabbi Hendel remembers his special brother Levi z’l, who gave up his Chanukah vacation to visit army bases, wrapping tefillin with soldiers, distributing donuts, and leading inspiring menorah lightings.

This year, Chabad of Baka focused on the Talpiyot mall called Kenyon Israel, where they offered exciting children’s programs and public menorah lightings. The mall often hosts secular, immodest entertainment for children so this was a novelty. Many children participated, and their parents expressed their gratitude for this authentic Chanukah experience.

The Olive Press was presented by Rabbi Hendel on two separate days, together with interactive Chanukah crafts run by Mayanot students, and a special Chanukah film on another day. The highlight was when the Chabad director asked Chanukah questions, distributing menorahs with candles as prizes. The public menorah was lit by different community members, while festive Chanukah music played in the background.

One child who won a menorah was overheard asking his mother if they could light the menorah at home for the very first time. Visibly touched, the mother agreed.

Rabbi Hendel also hosted a farbrengen in his brother’s memory, where community members joined for niggunim, stories, inspiration and of course, warm delicious latkes.

May the neshama of Levi ben Yisrael Yosef ha’kohen have an aliyah in the merit of all the outreach work that is being done in his memory, and may we merit techiyas hameisim with the coming of Moshiach speedily!

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11 Comments

  • Menachem

    The Hendels in Migdal Ha’emek are amazing people! They continue their devoted shlichus work and tremendous chesed in the community, with chayus and simchah. May Hashem give them much good health and koach. They are a real inspiration!

  • Really impressive!

    This looks incredible!
    May you go mechayil el chayil in all your activities, and we’re sure that all the work that you’re doing in Levi’s memory is definitely bringing us closer to Moshiach!
    Much love from the Kalmensons of London

  • Akiva

    Beautiful. Sending all our love to the great Hendel family.
    Truly, The Shapero’s in Coral Springs.

  • Inspired

    Wow this looks beautiful! Rabbi Avremel and Dina are continuously doing such wonderful programs that bring joy, fun, and inspiration to everyone who comes in contact with them! Much hatzlacha, and continued success! You are both an inspiration to many!
    M.S. Los Angeles, CA

  • Y.c.

    You surprised, M.S. from l.a.? Your sister is the greatest! Chazara be matts! Your also doing wonderful things! New Haven misses you both

  • chani

    Yasher Koach, Hendels! Keep up the great work! We’re so proud of you.
    Your Pittsburgh Fans

  • keep it up!!!

    from your cousins on shlichus in america. I still remember when I came to your event on chanukah 4 years ago

  • Edith Rivkah Levitt

    The Hendels are such an inspiration in putting their own interests aside and run to do the mitswot of lighting up our Baka and surrounded area’s communities. We are wishing them so much succes, siata dismaya and financial assistance in establishing a Beit Levi community building where all their amazing activities will IY“H find a warm & stable home for all to join and to work together to IY”H welcome Messiah speedily in our days. With a great thanks to the Lubavitscher Rabbi ZT”L for establishing and encouriging his shelichim to do this great work! Shabbat Shalom to all! The Levitt family Pittsburg/Amsterdam/Jerusalem

  • anonymus

    I can personally attest to the great work these shluchim are doing. Kol Hakavod and keep it up I’m sure the rebbe and hashem and levi a”h are proud of u!