For the second year, the Flushing Home Depot collaborated with the Jewish community to provide a Chanukah Experience.
The event was coordinated by Rabbi Yaakov Horvitz, a Chabad rabbi and activist living in Rego Park, and with the help of Manager Carlos Adorno, a man who really cares for the community and who went out of his way to make this happen.
The Home Depot Chanukah Experience began with a prayer for Israel, and with words of inspiration. This was followed by a hands-on Olive Press Presentation, in which the children learned how olive oil is made from scratch, and they got a deeper insight into the story of Chanukah.
Finally, the crafts from The Home Depot came out: This year it was a coin box, also known as a Pushka or Charity Box. The Home Depot sponsored aprons, crafts, and tools to be able to assemble the pieces, and there were also Chanukah designs and stickers.
This program, which was fun for all ages, concluded with lighting the menorah and Chanukah refreshments.
“The Lubavitcher Rebbe encouraged all children to have their own charity boxes with their names on the boxes, and to keep the boxes in their rooms as a reminder to always do something to help others,” explained Rabbi Horvitz. “We must educate children from the youngest a
ges to care for others, making the world a better place, which will bring Mashiach closer.”
The program was located at the Chabad Youth Center, located at 99-21 62nd Drive, LL, a center that serves many purposes, including a Hebrew School on Sunday for public school students, teen programs with an elaborate game room, adult classes, and holiday events.
Rabbi Horvitz, who is affiliated with the Ohr Avner Organization, also runs youth programs in local middle and high schools, both during school hours and afterwards.
For more information, call Rabbi Horvitz at 347-770-4451 or visit ChabadYQ.com.
