Europe’s Largest Marketplace Gets New Menorah

All corners of Kharkov, Ukraine, were lit up with public menorah lightings and Chanukah lights in homes of young and old. This year, a new menorah was lit throughout Chanukah in the Barabashova Market — the largest in Europe.

Rabbi Moshe Moskovitz shared his enthusiasm on the local television,”this year there isn’t a home in Kharkov that doesn’t know what Chanukah is and the miracle that the Jews are celebrating now. In a country where for years lighting a menorah was a far off dream…now in Kharkov there are lines to get menorahs and candles the days before Chanukah. We are reliving the miracles that our ancestors witnessed thousands of years ago!”

With fireworks in the public lighting on Pushkinskaya St in the largest shule in Ukraine…a fire show and doughnuts in the Barabashova bazaar…a car menorah parade through the city and a grand lighting with dancing in the center at the Opera Theater on Sumskaya…mivtzoyim and menorah lighting at the Daffy Mall and at the Platinum Plaza Mall…the lights of Chanukah shone brightly.

Concerts in the kindergarten and school, fun programs for the Kollel Torah,Machon and Yeshiva and a fun trip for the Stars students.

Enerjew teenagers had an unforgettable Shabbaton over the Chanukah weekend,with not only laser tag and kosher pizza-but a drive in a limousine with a menorah and two lucky boys went up on the crane to light the large menorah in the city streets.

This year the Kollel Torah,Stars students,Cheder Menachem,Yeshiva and Machon girls made special home visits and menorah lighting competitions encouraged everyone to make sure to light up their homes.

Lucky students of the Or Avner Day School won a surprise visit by their teachers with doughnuts and presents to join the Chanukah spirit in all corners of the city.

Jewish inmates were thrilled to be able to light a menorah in the dark prison cells thanks to the Kharkov shluchim.

The eight days of Chanukah saw thousands of Jews at menorah lightings, hundreds of homes lit with the Chanukah flames and pride rekindled in the hearts of the Jews in Kharkov.