On December, 22nd in the evening OR-AVNER school a children's holiday devoted to Chanukah took place. Cheerful and noisy children's company filled the assembly hall of the building of the Jewish nursery school. Bustle, squeal, laughter and noise – everything that children usually do. Chanukah performance started with a welcoming word of the head of the drama school Irina Romanova who made a retrospective excursion to the history of the Jewish people at the time when Chanukah miracle happened. The pupils of the evening school presented a musical composition with poetry: they sang songs, recited poems, played roles of historical characters (Maxim Shishlov represented Matityaga, and Sasha Oleynikov – tsar Antioch). Touching and sincere children's performance impressed the spectators very much and for many young actors it was a debut on the stage, beautiful and cheerful.
Then time for competitions came! The two commands named Chanukah and Menorah competed. With the teacher of the English language Irina Mihaylovna they made words of the letters scattered on the hall, answered the questions of the quiz prepared by the teacher of traditions Hana Vladimirovna. But the real beautiful spectacle of creativity awaited for all ahead: one command started to cook a traditional Chanukah dish – latkes, and another one started to make a charming bright Chanukia with real candles. On holiday the children also lit Chanukia together with the Chief Rabbi of Mariupol Menahem Mendel Cohen who congratulated everybody with the holiday and pronounced a prayer with young actors.
Children's Chanukah passed cheerfully and noisy in the evening school. Each child got a prize for participation in competitions and a set of sweets became a Chanukah gift. At the end of the party some refreshments waited for children and their parents. The children were leaving home and carrying away their laughter, loud voices and cheerful smiles.
Lots of strength and persistence are necessary to find Light in what seems gloomy and dark. Lots of strength and persistence are necessary to help G-d create the Light which will shine and consecrate our lives. So may the world around us be a kinder, fairer and more benevolent place. Chanukah with its nice history of the victory, courage and hope with multi-coloured fires, gifts and doughnuts gave us pleasure, optimism, patience and persistence for all affairs for the sake of Light once again.
