Chanucka 5769 started as a mighty sprinter with a block of attractive and interesting events. The first organized by JCC KEDEM was unique and wonderful personal exhibition of pictures by talented artist and Rav Reuven Schlenker. Rav Schlenker and Daria Fane, his wife and the head of the Political-Economic Section at the U.S. Embassy in Moldova, are reliable friends and constant visitors of the KJJC. Reuven is one of the few masters of “shiviti” technique connected with Kabbala signs and decoration. Over 55 people including famous local painters came to the Exhibition Opening.

“It is a rare and very special manner of painting”, said Tudor Braga, National “Brincush” Gallery Director. “Reuven is a brilliant colorist and his art is unusual for our region.”

After speeches and acquaintance with the works of the painter, Daria Fane lighted the first Chanucka candle on the KJJC Chanukkiyah.

Just in an hour the overcrowded Theatre Hall of the KJJC greeted one of the most authoritative and estimated Jewish organizations – Jewish Family Service that celebrated its 5th Anniversary. JFS serves almost 2,000 of people members of the Jewish families in-risk with children under 18 years. It collaborates with many NGOs of the country, develops new projects aimed at social, psychological and spiritual support of the needy families.
Many leaders of the local Jewish organizations joined almost 300 people who admired the festive concert dedicated to the holiday.

“You help to everybody with whom you contact to keep bright and optimistic perception of life”, marked Faina Chaplygina, JFS Board Chair.

“KJJC Gathers Friends” during the last years became a new tradition for the Jewish community of Kishinev. This time, certainly, the meeting was dedicated to Chanucka. People sitting at the tables and tasting latkes and sufganiyot, recalled stories from their childhood connected with this miraculous holiday. Nice songs by the JCC art-groups, improvisation, jokes, and anecdotes – everything in the long 3.5-hour program gave the sense of unity, friendship and one family. And the second Chanucka candle was lighted by a businessman Naum Kimmelmahher who taught to make braha on it when he made aliah to Israel yet in 1993. Chanucka continues…