We Thank G-D for the ability to have a Hanukah party this year. His faithfulness goes beyond description. Preparation began two weeks before Hanukah with all the volunteers getting involved in making decorations, packaging candy and candles, packing gift bags, handing out invitations, making phone call, helping with set-up and last but not least the clean up.
We began setting up the hall at 10 a.m. on the day of the party. With the decoration up, the games ready, and the smell of popcorn in the air, by 1 p.m. we were ready to open the doors to over 150 children from Sderot and their parents. They came to laugh and play and to just have a good time as kids. This year no “Tseva Adom” alarms were heard, Baruch Ha’Shem!

Esther the clown entertained the children with song and games, while other children were just as happy bouncing on the air inflated toys. It didn’t take long before the call to go buy more popcorn was heard.

By 4:30 we had gone through 20 pounds of popcorn cornels, 350 hot dogs, 200 gift candy bags, 500 jelly donuts ( a Hanukah tradition) and we have no idea how many gallons of punch was consumed! By 5:50 the mess was cleaned up and we were now going to start setting up for the adults and their part, which started at 8P.M.

By 8 p.m. the karaoke music was playing, the tables were set with snack food, soft drinks, and more jelly donuts. With Kobe and myself welcoming everyone for the second year and Rabbi Pisem lighting the Hanukah candles, we were then ready for singing, dancing eating and of course BINGO.

As everyone left they were handed two gift bags; one full of toys for their children and the other full of candy, chips… o.k. junk food! The 100 invited guests are all people who have been injured by Kassams in the past and the party was especially for them. On Thursday we continued to celebrate Hanukah as we gave the same gift baskets to the 42 families we serve from the Ethiopian community.

In total 144 families and 450 children received gifts from Hope for Sderot for Hanukah and another 250 people came to either the day or night party. We thankG-D for His continued faithfulness to His children!