‘Chanukah Mumbai’ in Wellesley
By Rabbi Moshe Bleich, Special to The Townsman

Wellesley -

Our annual Chanukah Menorah Lighting will remember the victims of the Mumbai Massacres and the victims at the Chabad House in Mumbai with special songs and a special candle lighting ceremony. Chabad of Mumbai, where Rabbi Gavriel and Rivkah Holtzberg were murdered, together with four others during the Mumbai Massacres, is part of the global Chabad-Lubavitch network of more than 4,000 emissary families in all 50 U.S. states and 87 countries around the world.

Chabad Centers are dedicated to spreading light and goodness in their respective communities. This is accomplished through hosting classes, lectures and workshops on Jewish topics, religious services, Shabbat meals, holiday awareness, preschools, religious schools, day schools, summer camps and more, all responding to the unique needs of the respective community. Chabad Houses typically offer social services as well, including, counseling services, hospital visitation, prison visitation, senior citizen programming and the Friendship Circle for physically or mentally challenged children.

Chabad’s answer to the darkness and destruction is an increase in light and warmth. Each year Chabad in Wellesley hosts a community-wide Chanukah celebration where the message of religious freedom is brought to the street. This year, in addition to the regular Menorah Lighting a special ceremony will take place dedicated to remembering the victims of the Mumbai Massacres.

Festivities will include music, crafts for the children, hot drinks, light refreshment and the Giant Menorah Lighting on Sunday, Dec. 28, at 4 p.m. at 793 Worcester St. (Route 9 West).

For more information, please call 781-239-1076, or e-mail chabadwellesley@aol.com.