Thousands of children, in the wards of 13 hospitals all around the country, took part in the “Hanukkeif” [Hanukkah Fun] activities, which were initiated by the “Hasdei Naomi” Organization.
The activity began with a huge event at the Tel Hashomer hospital, with the participation of Rabbi Yonah Metzger Shlita, the Chief Rabbi of Israel, and ended today with a huge happening at the Soroka hospital in Beer Sheba.
As in the past years, during the Hanukkah Holidays, the “Hasdei Naomi” Organization volunteers organized the project “Hanukkeif” for the sick children. Dozens of volunteers visited hospitals and organized for them Hanukkah parties and activities full of exciting events.
These activities took place at the following hospitals: Tel Hashomer in Ramat Gan, Mayane Hayeshuah in Bnei Brak, Bikkur Holim and Sha’arei Zedek both in Jerusalem, Hillel Yaffe in Hadera, Meir in Kfar Saba, Assaf Harofe, Wolfson in Holon, Lanyado in Natanya, Soroka in Beer Sheba, Poriah in Safed and Barzilay in Ashkelon. The volunteers, accompanied by clowns and giant dolls, visited the hospitalized children wards after wards, room after room, and distributed balloons, sweets, prizes and presents.
The “Hanukkeif” events began with a big party at the Tel Hashomer “Safra” Children’s Hospital in the evening of the festive lighting of the first traditional candle. Many artists took part and especially Rabbi Yonah Metzger Shlita, the Chief Rabbi of Israel together with the Hospital Director Professor Asher Barzilay. Today, the last and eighth day of the festive lightings of the traditional candles, a large event was organized at the Soroka hospital in Beer Sheba to conclude this week of festivities with the participation of Rabbi Yehuda Deri, Beer Sheba Chief Rabbi, who blessed the children and together with them lighted the candles on the Hanukkah candlestick.
More than 100 children hospitalized at the Soroka Hospital enjoyed a few hours of relaxation and excitement, while the “Hasdei Naomi” volunteers deployed various food stands and distributed free of charge to all the participants: hot dog, cotton candy, a respectable case of sweets and of course soufganiot [Hanukkah doughnuts] and a personal present for each and every child.
Another team of the “Hasdei Naomi” Organization volunteers went from room to room accompanied by giant dolls, and brought joy to those children, who could not attend the big party because of their health condition.
During today’s big event, the following artists participated in the show:
The singer Sauli Vaknin from a “Star Is
Born” 8,
“Ketsev Hamitofefim” Band [The Drummers Rhythm Band] made the children dance and jump while they drummed on big goblet drums [doumbeks] and giant shofars [ram’s horn]. Sharon the magician surprised the children and got them to participate in his incredible magic tricks,
Hagit, from Hagit Activation Show, appeared in a funny doll and distributed prizes to the children, and
Finally the clown “Kadushosho” brought unbelievable joy and fun to the children with his special show of inflating balloons and merry missions.
The whole event was accompanied by the D.J. Dotan Sofer.
All the artists, the presents and all the events were all volunteered on a full basis, with the aspiration to bring the joy of the Hanukkah Holidays to the hospitalized children and their families, who are staying at the various hospitals.