Posted to Chanukah on

Students Fight Hunger with World’s Largest ‘Canorah’

As Chanukah was approaching, Rabbi Avraham Varnai, the teacher of the fourth grade class of Cheder Lubavitch in Chicago gave his students a challenge: To make a Menorah out of canned food that would be distributed to those in need. The goal was set; 770 cans of food would go a long way to helping those who were struggling to feed their families.

About a week into their efforts, terrible tornadoes left a path of destruction in central Illinois. That sad news had the students thinking of what they could do to help the tornado victims. Fourth grade decided to double their efforts and send some of the food to those affected by the tornadoes. It’s amazing what a group of young students can do when they put their whole heart into it. The cans started pouring in and at the end, a total of 4,770 cans were collected!

The cans were assembled into a Menorah, and in honor of the eighth night of Chanukah, over 400 people gathered in the school’s auditorium for the grand Menorah lighting. Representatives from two local food pantries; the ARK and the Jewish Relief Agency, the two beneficiaries from this Menorah project, thanked the fourth grade class for their tremendous accomplishment.

The Dean of Cheder Lubavitch, Rabbi Yitzchok Wolf, as well the Head Shliach of the state of Illinois, Rabbi Daniel Moscowitz, also addressed the crowd. Everyone in the audience was in awe as they witnessed this most meaningful and special Menorah lighting.

In honor of all their hard work, Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois invited the class to the State of Illinois Menorah lighting with Secretary of State Jesse White.

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17 Comments

  • a big fan

    BH so creative, useful and a wonderful teaching tool! Great job 4th grade led by their rebbe Rabbi Varnai

  • Former Bostonian

    Very impressive !! Most original !! Kiddush Hashem & kiddush shem Chabad !!

  • wed

    Chicago is best love Rabbi Wolf and son and their tzidkus! nice idea and innovative !

  • A fellow teacher in CH

    This is a truly impressive project. Bigger and better is better than new unsustainable fads. May Hashem bless you, and may you continue to do the most important work in the whole world.

  • From Ottawa, Canada

    Rabbi Avraham Varnai, teacher and shliach par excellence!!

    We are so proud of your accomplishments!

    May you continue to go from strength to strength!

    With love;

    The Caytaks in Ottawa

  • Varnai Family in Eretz Yisroel

    Avraham: You have always given us much Chassidishe Naches and continue to do so.
    We are VERY proud of you and each and every boy in Kita Daled.
    And once again, we await next Chanukah with bated breath: how CAN they top this year’s menorah???
    With all our love:
    Ema,Abba and the rest

  • London fan

    Well done Rabbi Varnay. Always look forward to seeing what you are going to pull off. Hatzlocha

  • TT

    most amazing, the point of chanukah, the Menorah in the B”H had the cups upside down to give light to the world. well done Avraham great teacher , nice to see you on CHI every year with a new Mororah.