The Jewish social welfare organization "Chesed" in Belz traditionally celebrates all Jewish holidays with its community, which consists largely of senior citizens: on the first floor, just across the courtyard from the office, where the staff have planted roses. Here in northern Moldova, where it's not easy to get to, the Jewish community is a second home – or even their first – for many members. But this year, funding was lacking – an opportunity for Christians supporting Israelto personally bring a piece of love from Germany for the holidays.
Larissa arrived an hour early. "Thank you so much for all your help," she said, hugging us. We told her there would be gifts today, for Hanukkah. "You are the greatest gift to me!" Larissa said. "You are so kind, so compassionate... you mean more to me than all the gifts!"
There were exactly 30 tins of cookies left at the Kaufland supermarket in Belz, where we did our big shop last night. We also bought tea and two bars of Israeli chocolate from our office in Vinnytsia – thankfully, the customs officers at the border didn't ask any complicated questions.
Potted roses and star-shaped felt coasters, candles, napkins, and chocolate balls – the table now looks truly festive. "Bey mir bistu scheyn" is already playing on the screen while we make the final preparations. Then, within minutes, the room is filled.
A special day of celebration for Holocaust survivors and children of the post-war era
Many faces are familiar. Somehow, these encounters here in northern Moldova, far from the capital, have left a deeper impression. There's Nussja, who survived the Holocaust herself; Nina, who lost her entire family on both her father's and mother's sides to Nazi crimes. Then Roman hurries towards us, having worked at Chesed for 20 years. "I'm so glad to see you! I don't usually make it to these events anymore. But I came today just for you!"
“Hanukkah is the festival of miracles – and our first miracle is that our dear ‘girls,’ our Alina and Anemone, were able to join us to light the first Hanukkah candle!” said community leader Polina, welcoming the guests. “We owe our celebration today to them, to the Christians who stand alongside Israel. But they are not just our sponsors. They have become our dearest friends. It wasn’t that long ago that we first met, but it was love at first sight with our Jewish community here! They have traveled a long way and crossed many borders to be with us today!”
Polina tells us about Oktyabrina, who hadn't left the house all year. But she absolutely insisted on being at our Hanukkah celebration. She didn't even want to use the ride service. "I can do it, I want to come myself!" she said. Anatoly comes towards me beaming and doesn't want to let go of my hands. "You promised you'd come back, and now you're here! And you said your mother would pray for me. That's such a source of hope you give us!"
When the Messiah comes
Polina's speech is followed by the first L'Chaim toast, then we bring greetings from Germany and the entire CSI world… and God's words through the prophet Isaiah, even in the dark December of 2023: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1).
Rabbi Mendel came all the way from Chișinău to light the first candle on the man-high menorah. Before he speaks, he helps some of the older men put on their prayer straps. Everyone receives a Hanukkah menorah – a festival-specific menorah – to take home, so they can light another candle each day, just like an Advent wreath.
“One candle is enough for today. But tomorrow we will light a new candle,” Rabbi Mendel explained. “The new day tomorrow needs new light. Tomorrow we are to do good anew and illuminate this dark world. And as every year, we hope and pray that we will be the last generation to live under a foreign yoke, and the first generation to live in freedom when Messiah comes—soon and in our day!”
Help us show Holocaust survivors and needy Jewish seniors that they have friends in Germany! You can sponsor a survivor here . Alternatively, you can also help the survivors with a one-time donation, earmarked for "Holocaust Survivors Ukraine". Thank you!
