Chanukah - Chabad's Terror Victims Project

Chanukah

When we think of Chanukah, we think of miracles and light and celebrations, of menorahs, dreidels, and jelly doughnuts. But this joyous holiday can also bring with it pain and loneliness for those whose lives have been shattered by terror and war.

CTVP works hard during this season of the year to bring the joy of Chanukah to these families. Menorahs and dreidels are distributed all over Israel and volunteers go to the homes of the families and kindle the lights with them.

As well, Chanukah parties are organized all around the country for families to come together. Among the festivities are the lighting of the menorah, refreshments including traditional latkes and jelly doughnuts, music, and entertainment by clowns. The goal is to enable these families to put aside for a short time the pain they experience daily and feel the festive spirit of this holiday of lights.

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IDF Major Joins with CTVProject to Light Chanukah Candle with Injured Hand Saved from Amputation

Major Ziv Shilon, of the Israel Defense Forces, was at the border of Gaza a year ago when he was severely wounded. During Chanukah, Rabbi Menachem Kutner, Director of CTVP, visited Ziv. Together they lit the first candle of Chanukah, Ziv using his injured right hand that had been saved from amputation.

Special Chanukah Candle lighting on Behalf of Victims of Terror in Israel

Chabad Terror Victims Project (CTVP) is organizing an international program called “Operation Chanukah” to dedicate one night of Chanukah to honor victims of terror and their families, wounded soldiers and their families, and all those who have lost loved ones to terror or war throughout Israel.

Grand Chanukah Party Held for Families of Terror Victims

On the sixth night of Chanukah, a wonderful party took place in Kfar Chabad for victims of terror and their families. Those who came were widows and orphans, bereaved parents and those wounded in terrorist attacks throughout Israel. The CTVP program was lively and entertaining. Families walked away strengthened, filled with hope for the future, and full of happiness and light.

Bereaved Family in Kiryat Milachi Declares: “Light Will Win”

Marking the ‘Shloshim’ (thirtieth day of mourning) of the murder of the three precious souls killed by a terrorist missile in the Chabad neighborhood in Kiryat Malachi during the recent barrage of missiles from Gaza, the Samadja family gathered in the home of Rabbi Aharon Samadja A’H. Together with Rabbi Menachem Kutner, they lit candles and prayed for his soul. Immediately following they had a moving ceremony as they lit the Chanukah candles on the exact spot where the rocket hit. For each and every one of them it was a reaffirmation that “Light Will Win” out over evil and darkness.

Operation Light will Win uplifts the Residents of Be'er Sheva

The city of Beersheva in the south of Israel was a major target of the missile and rocket attacks from Gaza that besieged the country during Operation Pillar of Defense in November

Chabad representatives, who were literally working under fire, encouraging and assisting residents, are now continuing this important work both during and after Chanukah. With the message, "Light will Win" as an inspiration, they brought the light and joy of Chanukah to traumatized residents of neighborhoods that were affected by direct missile attacks.

Netivot declares 'Light Will Win!'

Gifts from South Africa bring Much Joy to the Children

In the city of Netivot in the south of Israel, many rockets hit the area and many alarms were sounded as well, sending people scrambling into shelters. A large number of houses were damaged by direct hits and scores of residents were injured. CTVP representatives in the town of Netivot held a special candle lighting ceremony during Chanukah in the neighborhoods most severely affected by the rocket attacks. Together with the children, they proclaimed the positive slogan, “Light will Win“ to help bring courage and strength to the people.

Soldier Blinded in Gaza Kindles Menorah with CTVP

Three courageous heroes of Israel gathered together to light the third candle this past Chanukah. The first was a brave soldier who was blinded early on in the recent Operation Pillar of Defense during which rockets from Gaza barraged the south of Israel. The second was a wounded victim from the horrific bus attack in the Burgas airport in Bulgaria. The third was the soldier who thwarted a terrorist attack on Chanukah seven years ago. Together they kindled the third candle of Chanukah with CTVP. This moving event was held in the rehabilitation department at Tel Hashomer Hospital.

CTVP launches "Operation Light Will Win" on the Porch of the Amsalem family home in Kiryat Malachi.

Rabbi Sholom Ber Gorelick who lives on the first floor of the building in Kiryat Malachi, lit the Chanukah candles on the exact spot where a rocket hit and took the lives of three precious souls. With this act Rabbi Gorelik reaffirmed the message of “Light will Win" -- the Chanukah lights will shine brightly and bring comfort and hope to the bereaved families. It will give them strength to go forward with the hope of better days coming.

CTVP Brings the light of Chanukah to Terror Victimsacross Israel.

During Chanukah scores of volunteers guided by the CTVP staff visited many bereaved families of terror victims and family members of fallen IDF soldiers. They lit candles and brought them the message of Chanukah with a special emphasis on "Haor Yinatzeiach" - "the light will win."

A Time of Joy and a Time of Pain…

This year in particular, there were 43 families in Israel who were in terrible pain, struggling to pull their lives together.

Each of these families had recently lost a loved one in the terrible fires up North and the pain and agony of their losses threatened to overwhelm them. It is to these families, in addition to all those we serve, that Chabad Terror Victims Project (CTVP) is presently providing special aid to help them through this terrible time in their lives.

Hollywood Director Kevin Bright Brightens the Lives of his New 'Friends'

Acclaimed Hollywood director Kevin Bright (producer and creator of the very popular Friends series) spent the seventh night of Chanukah bringing light and happiness to wounded soldiers of the IDF. About 25 soldiers who were wounded in the recent wars in Gaza and the second Lebenon war, came to a special Chanukah party organized by CTVP for them and their family members.

Orel’s Chanukkah Miracle.

Orel was wounded two years ago in the city of Bee’r Sheva by a rocket attack during the war in Gaza. The rocket pierced his brain and caused a fatal injury. Doctors did not give him much hope.

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