Chanukah Magazine Builds Community and Connection For Jewish Children in Times of Darkness

This Chanukah, the highly anticipated CKids Tzivos Hashem Chanukah magazine found its way into the hands of 15,000 Jewish children worldwide, empowering them in these challenging times with a feeling of connection that transcends language and location.

As in years past, the magazine is here to connect children around the globe. In times of global unrest, when it is more imperative than ever to feel part of the global Jewish community, the CKids magazine helps strengthen the bonds that tie the Jewish people together. Whether ‘across the widest sea’ or across the street, every Jewish child can read about and share with other children just like them.

The magazine, published before every Jewish holiday, is now in its third year of print. The meaningful content was produced by Sarah Chein of CKids International at Merkos 302 and is tailor-made for each community, showcasing local events and pictures relevant to each Chabad House or Hebrew School. 

“I look forward to every edition of the magazine,” says Zach, a CKid Tzivos Hashem participant in Folsom, California. “To see what life is like for Jewish kids across the world is so cool.” 

For the Chanukah edition, the magazine introduces Chanukah to young readers in a fun, interactive way, from a Chanukah-themed jokes page to the “Diary of a Maccabee” page, giving readers a special inside look at what life was like in the time of the miraculous victory.

In the “Kids Unite” section, a featured CKid shares their hometown experiences and delivers a message to Jewish kids around the globe. In this edition, 11-year-old Ariel Shaulov from Toronto, CA, tells readers who he would like to meet from the Chanukah story.

With the inclusion of French and Spanish editions this year, CKids expands its reach and connects children worldwide, allowing them to learn from and collaborate with each other. “Jewish kids today need to feel that they aren’t alone,” says Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, executive director of Merkos 302. “The magazine now connects even more Jewish children worldwide. We hope it will give the younger generation courage and strength wherever they find themselves.”