2008

As Israel completed its fifth day of air strikes against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip, Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries in Israeli cities terrorized by Palestinian-fired rockets counseled frightened residents and soldiers. In the coastal city of Ashkelon, not far from the Gazan border, Rabbi Menachem Lieberman and his staff handed out miniature books of Psalms to security forces and citizens who had gathered at the site where a rocket struck on Wednesday.

More than 16,000 people were on hand for a Chanukah menorah lighting at Nashville, Tenn.’s Sommet Center stadium sponsored by the city’s Chabad-Lubavitch center.

The desert city of Be’er Sheva joined the list of Israeli towns struck by ever-improving Palestinian rockets Tuesday night, but in the midst of the chaos, at least one function continued as if the country’s latest offensive against the Gaza Strip had not landed smack dab on its doorstep.

Countless loved ones across the country are grappling with the unknown as their sons, brothers and husbands wait for the order that will start the ground war in Gaza.

For the first time in the state’s history, a Chanukah menorah stood beneath the rotunda of the capitol building in Cheyenne, Wyo.

Thousands gathered outside the Kremlin for a traditional Chanukah menorah lighting in below-freezing weather presided over by Russian Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar.

The family of Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg buried the couple’s four-year-old son Dov Tuesday morning after the boy succumbed to a long illness.

As Israel Defense Force air strikes against Hamas targets in the Palestinian-controlled Gaza Strip extended into the fourth day of fighting, enemy rockets rained down on civilian centers, sending citizens scurrying and damaging homes, including that of Rabbi Chananel and Tzivia Pizem, Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries in the border town of Sderot.

Jewish leaders from the Sunshine State joined Gov. Charlie Crist in celebrating Chanukah at a menorah lighting at the state capitol in Tallahassee.

In cooperation with Chabad-Lubavitch of Upper Montgomery County, the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department in suburban Maryland made history this Chanukah with what is believed to be the world’s only menorah fire truck parade.

Throughout Saturday night and Sunday, as waves of aircraft pounded military targets in the Gaza Strip and Hamas forces retaliated with rocket attacks aimed at Israeli civilians, Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries and rabbinical students made the rounds of hospitals to visit with the wounded.

Mayor Job Cohen lit the giant Chanukah menorah in Amsterdam’s central Dam Square during a ceremony organized by Chabad-Lubavitch of the Netherlands. More than 1,000 people filled the square, one of the most notable public spaces in the Dutch city. The event joined a list of public menorah lightings that have been regularly held throughout the Netherlands for several years.

Residents of Israeli cities surrounding the Gaza Strip found themselves living in a closed military zone on Saturday, as the country’s Home Front Command issued orders effectively keeping people in their homes.

All of the children injured Thursday’s traffic accident at the Chanukah Wonderland in Woodmere, N.Y., returned home before Shabbat.