“Hey Rabbi, can I bring you anything from Toronto?”
Aryeh Nussbaum, a native Torontonian, was visiting the beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands with his family for a Chanukkah weekend of sun, sand, and ocean. Assuming that there was a Chabad on the Turks and Caicos Islands he googled Chabad to see if he could bring anything to the local Shluchim.
Expecting a request for a bottle of milk, some frozen meat, or maybe a bag of kosher candy for the kids, he texted Rabbi Shmulik Berkowitz. “Hey Rabbi, can I bring you anything from Toronto?”
Within minutes he got a reply.
“Hey Aryeh, thanks for reaching out. Would it be possible for you to bring a case of Menoros? I ordered 250 before Chanukkah and we already ran out. LMK if it’s possible. Thanks!”.
Aryeh swiftly replied “I would love to be part of the zechus of supplying Turks and Caicos with Chanukah Menoros! This is my address..”
15 minutes later Areyh got a text.
“Look on your front porch. Should be there. Thank you so much and safe flight!”
This Chanukkah, over 2000 Jewish tourists, homeowners, and full-time residents were given the ability to celebrate Chanukkah on the island.
Chabad on the island led by Rabbi Shmulik and Chaya Berkowitz supplies the picturesque destination with all aspects of Yiddishkeit. Everything becomes a whole lot bigger on Chanukah as the streets fill with Yidden.
Chanukah is also a very personal big deal on the island because it marks the 4th anniversary of the first permanent Chabad presence on the Island.
The last day of Chanukah ended the crazy week with the biggest Jewish party the island had ever seen as over three hundred people attended the public menorah lighting on grace bay beach. The iconic ceremony, although only a few years old, is viewed by the islanders as a Turks and Caicos tradition.
As the sun set, Jews of all kinds joined together to celebrate.
The Menorah was set facing the beautiful, clear blue water to give the flavor of the island to the Chanukkah celebration. Beautifully displayed, arts and crafts for the kids, drink bars, Tefillin stands, and hundreds of fresh Latkes and donuts were readily available for all attendees and most importantly – Menorahs were given out to each respective family.
The lighting began with opening remarks from the Deputy Premier, the Honorable Erwin Jay Sanders who spoke about the lesson he learnt from the story of Chanukkah, namely fighting darkness with actions of light.
Following the theme of “a small light can dispel much darkness” Rabbi Berkowitz handed out single candles to everyone, but interestingly only lit a few of them. He then instructed those with lit candles to light the candles of those standing nearby, and so on, until the darkened beach was filled with light.
After the lighting and Chanukkah songs, a delightful light show was performed.
Over the eight days of Chanukkah, Turks and Caicos Islands had nightly Chanukkah parties and Menorah lightings with visits from the governor of TCI Nigel Dakin, and Jewish music superstar – Yaakov Shwekey.
Reminiscing to the exact same spot, exactly four years ago, Berkowitz marvels at the growth that has been made on the island.
“Our days are packed with visiting tourists, arranging kosher food, Minyanim, mivtzoim, lunch and learns, and more. So many people are shocked to see a Lubavitcher walking around the Ritz-Carlton with a menorah in one hand and a pair of Tefillin in the other. For some people, this is the only time they want to talk to a Lubavitcher and it’s a golden opportunity to infuse their life with warmth toward Yiddishkeit. Just over this Chanukkah, we gave out over 450 Menoros!” says Berkowitz.
Chabad of Turks and Caicos was greatly assisted by visiting bachurim Mendel Backman, Mendel Denburg, Effy Kahn, Levi Katz, Avremel Silberberg, and Mendel Shwartz.
To find out more about Chabad of Turks and Caicos visit jewishtci.com
Amazing bochrim!
What a beautifully written article! Wishing the Shluchim much hatzlacha!