Our Small Town Chanukah Miracle

By Adina Tiechtel – Shlucha to Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana

My husband and I recently moved out on shlichus to a small town in the middle of America. We do not live near any other shluchim and the closest Jewish community is many miles away.

We excitedly planned our first Chanukah event – the very first public menorah lighting to be seen in our town. Close to one hundred people attended and we were thrilled. The night couldn’t get better, we thought.

Suddenly through the door came the “Share the lights” team. The bochrim were Yossi Itkin, Eli Drizin, Mendel Elberg, Nochum Cohen and Asher Simpson. They brought with them warmth, passion and true chassidishe energy, you could feel it in the air!

With natural lebidiikeit they broke out in a dance and drew people in – young, old, students and children too. Our community was uplifted and rejuvenated and we can’t thank them enough for traveling for so many hours to be with us for Chanukah.

I’d like to stress that there is really nothing grand about our small town, no attractions, warm weather, or interesting things. Just simple yidden to inspire and ignite the flame of yiddishkeit. These bochrim are an example of filling a calling, the call of the Rebbe to touch every yid and bring them closer, no matter who they are or where their hometown may be.

During the event, we noticed a women with tears in her eyes – tears of joy knowing that her kids can finally celebrate a Jewish holiday this year and be proud to be Jewish.

Some of the feedback we received from our community over the past few days:
“The bochrim visit was a real highlight… It was the first time my kids saw a group of Rabbis… They were so friendly, asking me my name and truly cared… The Rabbi asked me if I put on Tefillen, told me to hold strong with wearing my Tzitzit and be proud that I’m a Jew…”

Thank you to the #sharethelights team for making our first Chanukah celebration one that we will never forget!

Rabbi Levi and Adina Tiechtel were appointed in July of 2014 as new Shluchim to Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.