Chanukah with Kangarusski
120 people gathered in Sydney to celebrate Hanukkah organised each year by a group of Kangarusski volunteers has become one of the most anticipated events in the community, and this year’s celebration certainly did not disappoint.
Kangarusski is the affectionate term for the Russian-Speaking Jewish Community (RSJC), a department of the Zionist Federation of Australia. Kangarusski offers a wide-range of social and social events and activities for the RSJC including family events, holiday programs for children and young adult leadership programs. Since its inception in 2012, Kangarusski has been instrumental in encouraging a broader range of cooperation between the RSJC and the wide Jewish community, and its activities have given the next generation of the RSJC an opportunity to discover their Jewish identity and connection to Israel.
This year’s Kangarusski Hanukkah celebrations was held at Our Big Kitchen (OBK). There was a whole range of engaging and diverse programs for all ages including:
- Hanukkiah making from clay with talented artist and educator Yelena Revis;
- An interactive theatre presentation of the Hanukkah story;
- Bourkas baking workshop under the guidance of the professional chefs from the OBK team;
- Educational candle-making activity;
- Sangria-making and donut decoration stations led by Kangarusski volunteers Inna Polura and Stella Dvuchbabny;
- Creative Hanukkah games for kids and adults run by volunteer Kira Kless.
The mouth-watering aroma coming from the latkes station run by Faina Romanov, the traditional Russian and Jewish music, the delicious food prepared by Mila’s Kosher Catering, and Sasha Pak’s live singing all added true magic to the atmosphere of the afternoon.
The event was made possible with help and support of Kangarusski’s partners – Limmud FSU and the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, as well as the enormous effort and enthusiasm of Kangarusski ZFA volunteers and organisers. We thank, as always Harry Triguboff and Meriton, the major supporter of Kangarusski.
