Celebrating the Festival of Lights in Continuous Darkness

Murmansk, Russia: In the outer reaches of the Arctic Circle, a community of Jews will celebrate the festival of lights with JDC's assistance. For the Jews of Murmansk, eight days of candle lighting will be a welcome break from 43 days of perpetual darkness.

Founded in 1916, Murmansk is the largest city in the Arctic Circle. The continuous darkness in the winter, constant light in the summer, a year-round chill and sudden electrical storms make the region's harsh life even more difficult for the city's 376,000 inhabitants, among them its 3,000 Jews.

With Hannukah approaching though, Murmansk's Jewish community is now charged with the excitement of Hannukah preparations.

"Holidays are a wonderful opportunity to bring the community together," explains Diana, Director of Mumansk's JDC-supported Hesed Zohar Welfare Center. "Particularly in the dark of winter, when members of the Jewish community have every reason to stay at home." The appropriately chosen name Zohar is Hebrew for glow.

"Many Jews in Murmansk are lonely and isolated. It is very important for them to get out and meet with each other," she says. "Especially elderly, children and people with disabilities."

Jews first came to this distant city to earn money in mines, shipyards, and navy. Some gravitated to this area after surviving Stalin’s camps, while others fled anti-Semitic attacks in Moscow, Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) and other locations.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the city's economy failed and Murmansk's Jewish population dwindled. With a low Jewish birth rate and high rate of assimilation, and without a synagogue or sense of community, those Jews who remained lost nearly all links to Judaism.

However the fall of the USSR opened the doors for JDC to help Murmansk's Jews reconnect to Jewish traditions and heritage. The JDC-sponsored Shalom Jewish Cultural Society was initiated in 1992, and in 1997 Hesed Zohar was created to support the community's needy.

Today, the community offers classes in Jewish history and culture, Hebrew instruction, art, kosher cooking and music clubs and Kabbalat Shabbat services. Hesed Zohar’s small staff and dedicated volunteers provide welfare services including hot meals, food packages, homecare, warm clothing and fuel for the winter, as well as medical consultations and free loans of medical equipment.

Though Murmansk's Jewish population now numbers only a fragment of what it once was, for the first time the Jews of Murmansk now proudly refer to themselves as a community. This communal pride shines as the entire community prepares for Hanukkah.

First, a pre-holiday retreat will be held for the young Jews of Murmansk. Through activities and games, the gathering will pass on holiday traditions to a new generation of Murmansk's Jews. These children will then share their knowledge with their parents and grandparents, rekindling memories for some.

During Hannukah, the children will stage a puppet show at the community celebration in the city's Puppet Theater. Young and old will enjoy performances by the Jewish community's choir and brass orchestra. Hannukah candles will be lit and traditional fried doughnuts eaten.

The community even made special arrangements so that those confined to their homes can share in the celebration: a small bus will pick up elderly and disabled members of the community.

Among the celebrants will be 32-year-old Natalie, her husband and their two children. Natalie's husband, once a naval officer, is now unemployed. The struggling family has an added burden: their eight-year old son Alex has cerebral palsy and is partially blind.

"I cried many nights, but thankfully Hesed has been able to help us," says Natalie. The family participates in the JDC-supported Mazal Tov program which runs activities for young families to reconnect them with the Jewish community while providing material support for those in greatest need. Through Mazal Tov, Natalie's family receives food packages, winter clothes and boots. Alex also received physical therapy and other treatments through the program.

In fact, since Alex's involvement in Mazal Tov, the boy has progressed tremendously. Once unable to walk due to his disability, Alex now even attends dance lessons at the community studio. Though he mostly observes, he has begun to take a few dance steps.

"Hesed is putting back some of the happiness in our lives," Natalie remarks.

Natalie is doing the same for her community. A gifted artist, Natalie volunteers at the Hesed, teaching children to make toys and handicrafts in its studio. Recently she has shown children how to make menorahs so each can bring the light of Hannukah into their homes.

"I am looking forward to celebrating Hannukah with my family and community. I am very happy that I can help others do so as well," says Natalie.

For Natalie, her family and hundreds of Jews in Murmansk, JDC is transforming the wintertime darkness of Murmansk into one aglow with the joy of community.