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Chanukkah’s Meaning Spun in Monroe

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Rabbi Zaklikovsky helps Alex Holmann, 12, of Monroe use an olive press during a Hebrew class on how to make olive oil for the Hanukkah menorah at the Chabad Jewish Center in Monroe.

MONROE TOWNSHIP NJ — Rabbi Eliezar Zaklikovsky of the Chabad Jewish Center of Monroe used modern technology to revive an Old World art and teach a dozen youngsters the meaning behind the miracle of the Maccabees.

Presidential Message Chanukah 2007

Office of the Press Secretary

I send greetings to all those celebrating Hanukkah, the festival of lights.

Hanukkah commemorates a victory for freedom and the courage and faith that made it possible. More than 2,000 years ago, the land of ancient Israel was conquered, its sacred Temple was desecrated, and the Jewish people were forbidden to practice their faith. A patriot named Judah Maccabee and his followers rose up against their oppressors to take back Jerusalem. When the Maccabees returned to reclaim and purify their Holy Temple, the oil used for dedication should have lasted only one day but burned for eight. Every year since then, Jews have celebrated this victory of light over darkness and given thanks for the presence of a just and loving God.

An Early Start to Chanukah

QUEENS, NY [CHI] — Despite the unexpected snow and cold weather, more than 60 children from public schools brought their parents and siblings to a pre-Chanukah exhibition.

The event was held in the Bukharin Jewish Community Center in Queens and was aided by Rabbi Yitzchok Wolowik.

More pictures in the Extended Article!

Rabbi Chaim Bruk to Light Up Bozeman

Bozeman Montana Local News

Rabbi Chaim Bruk will host a public menorah lighting at 6 p.m. on Saturday in front of First Security Bank in Bozeman.Sean Sperry/Chronicle

Holiday lights on Main Street in downtown Bozeman are about to get a whole lot brighter.

BOZEMAN, MT — In observance of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, a 9-foot-tall menorah will be lit in front of First Security Bank during a public ceremony 6 p.m. Saturday. The giant candelabra symbolizes the holiday, which begins Tuesday and lasts until Dec. 12.

A Unique Yud Tes Kislev Gathering in Atlantic City

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ [CHI] — This year all across the world Yud Tes Kislev was celebrated marking the 211th year of the first Chabad Rebbe, the Alter Rebbe’s redemption from imprisonment in Russia. This day is known as the New Year of Chassidus. However, amongst Chasidim, Yud Tes Kislev is also coined as the Bris of a Chossid.

Baruch Dayan HaEmes – Rabbi Nissan Pinson

With immense sadness we inform of the passing of Shliach, HaRav HaChossid, Rabbi Nissan Pinson, Shliach to Tunis, Tunisia, who passed away Monday night 24 Kislev, in Nice, France at the age of 89.

The Levaya will be in Israel, Wednesday.

Chabad of Northwest CT Completes Torah Scroll

SOUTHBURY, CT [CHI] — Doing justice to a momentous occasion, Chabad of Northwest CT completed the Community Torah on Sunday December 2nd with a truly spectacular event. The event took place at the Heritage Hotel, in Southbury, where participants had a chance to experience the making of the most hallowed of Jewish articles, the Torah.

Yud Tes Kislev Rally for CYH Online School’s Hebrew Division

BROOKLYN, NY [CHI] — After two weeks worth of preparations, a virtual online Farbrengen marking Yud Tes Kislev was held for all Hebrew-speaking Shluchim’s children attending The Shluchim Office’s Online School, comprising the Twelve Pesukim, Divrei Torah, L’Chaims, Nigunim and even dancing.  Participants were able to hear and see each other online, creating an authentic Farbrengen atmosphere among Chassidishe peers.

Pulling ‘Chanukah Lights Live!’ Together

LOS ANGELES, CA [CHI] — Pirsumei Nisa, spreading the story of the miracle is one of the mitzvahs of Chanukah. Jews put menorahs in the door ways and windows of their homes and business, and Shluchim around the world erect large menorahs at their chabad houses, malls, city and village squares and parks.

Chabad of California this year announced their first ever “Chanukah Lights Live!”, a national TV broadcast from Sacramento, the capitol of California, which will include a live satellite link hookup from Iraq and Afghanistan of U.S. troops celebrating Chanukah.

More pictures in the Extended Article!

What’s the connection between olives from California, Press from Dnepropetrovsk and a Menora from New York?

DNEPROPETROVSK, Ukraine [CHI] — Seeing the success of last years olive oil kits the Director of programs and publishing division of Tzivos Hashem, Rabbi Shmuli Brown was flooded with lots of telephone calls to once again make more olive kits. Tzivos Hashem of the C.I.S. worked very hard in providing more kits to many Shluchim across the Former Soviet Union.

Chanukah at City Walk

UNIVERSAL CITY, CA [CHI] — Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend “Chanukah at the Universal City Walk” on Tuesday, December 4; from 5-9pm. Organizers of the event say that it will be the largest Chanukah celebration of its kind in Southern California.