On Zos Chanukah, Rabbi Shmuli Schlanger and his wife Esther Malka, devoted shluchim in Bakersfield, California, joined a huge menorah lighting in Jerusalem, honoring Shmuli’s brother Eli Schlanger HYD and the other Sydney Kedoshim.
On Zos Chanukah, Rabbi Shmuli Schlanger and his wife Esther Malka, devoted shluchim in Bakersfield, California, joined a huge menorah lighting in Jerusalem, honoring Shmuli’s brother Eli Schlanger HYD and the other Sydney Kedoshim.
It was a cold night, but a special warmth filled the crowd, who had gathered in unity for Chabad of Baka’s nightly menorah lighting at First Station. Rabbi Shmuli, who just got up from shivah that morning, was determined to turn his family’s pain into purpose, sharing words of inspiration and singing beautifully, as he lit the huge menorah facing the Old City of Jerusalem, where the original Chanukah miracle took place.
He spoke about olive oil, and how it brings forth the greatest light when it is crushed. So, too, the Jewish people. Our response to the devastating terror attack in Bondi is to add light and mitzvos, as Eli would always do.
In trademark Schlanger fashion, Rabbi Shmuli invited a boy with special needs from the Friendship Circle of South Jerusalem, directed by Chabad of Baka, to come up with him to sing the brachos. When Rabbi Schlanger sang the Rebbe’s rendition of Haneiros Halalu with fervor and passion, people were moved to tears.
