On the 1st of Tevet (the 26th of December 2011) the first part of Chanukah party for Mariupol students of the STARS programme took place in the Iceberg entertaining complex.
The second part of the party was held in Mariupol synagogue and began with a solemn lighting of the seventh Chanukah candle by the student of the STARS programme Andrey Grodsky. Then celebratory farbrengen with songs and dances and a table full of various meals started. The Chief Rabbi of Mariupol Menahem Mendel Cohen told the students about the miracle that had occurred more than two thousand years ago.
Some games had been prepared for the students, the questions of which were connected with history and traditions of the Jewish people. So the young people could show their knowledge having been received at lectures and lessons. Beside having fun the students were treated with tasty meals and, certainly, real Chanukah doughnuts.
The youth enjoyed the time and they didn't want to go home at all.
As well as all holidays and celebratory dates the events of Chanukah are echoing nowadays. And today just as it was many years ago each Jew is searching for that jug with the "pure oil" in his soul. And from time to time courage and determination are necessary to light it and then this small spark of the Jewish belief will burn bright. This was a struggle not only of «the few against the numerous, and the weak against the strong», but also of «righteous against sinners», Judaism against Hellenism — and Torah has won.
We believe that the G-d will send us a miracle and this fire will burn eternally with arrival of our just Moshiah these days!
