Lighting Hanukah Candles

with the President of Israel

On the third night of Hanukah, 30 "Haverim-Friends for Health" children, all suffering from disabilities or rare and serious illnesses, celebrated the Festival of Lights at the official home of Mr. Shimon Peres, President of the State of Israel.

Elad and Netanel Shemi, wheelchair-bound twins from Bat-Yam, made the blessings and lit the candles. Caroline, a 12 year-old girl paralyzed from birth, gave a moving speech. And Yana Kureyev, 9, presented the President with a special award.

President Peres welcomed the guests: "I'm happy you came here today and moved to see you here. Your hopes touch everyone's heart, and each one of you carries a light just like a candle. Hanukah symbolizes a very special Jewish miracle – a joint effort between the Almighty and human beings – and that's why the Maccabees, with God's help, were able to beat the many and the strong."

"… Each one of you can be a Maccabee. Never give in to pain or suffering. There are medical miracles and you must never despair. Hang on and keep your hopes high… This is a very emotional day in this house."

Caroline spoke on behalf of the "Friends for Health" children and her words brought a tear to the eyes of all those present:

"My name is Caroline. I'm 12 years old and a member of "Friends for Health."

The dreidel is one of the most popular Hanukah symbols for children. Physical strength and intellect are not a factor here. It's all about fate. There is no such thing as equal fate amongst children. One is born like this and another like that.

The dreidel spins on one leg and falls. And it can fall on the letter 'Nun' – Ness! (Miracle) That is our miracle – children with physical setbacks. All that is simple and straightforward for a healthy child becomes a challenge for us… it's a lot of coping… it's a miracle. We experience miracles every single day – waking up, getting dressed, going to school, doing homework…

"Haverim-Friends for Health" is always with us at these wonderful moments, at our special miracles: at parties, festivals, trips and vacations.

Your Honor the President, it's true that we dream to be just like ordinary kids, but it's clear to us that ordinary kids just don't have the same experiences we do. We are winning and succeeding almost every minute of our lives. And it's only us who truly have "Friends in Health."

Thank you for inviting us to your home and thank you for caring about us. On behalf of all "Friends for Health" children, I hope that you will continue to be so young at heart and loving for many more healthy years to come."

Yehiel Landman, Chairperson of the organization, quoted the Talmud (Tractate Avoda Zara), which tells of Adam, the first human being, born on the first Rosh Hashanah in history. He sees an ordered, organized world and a balance of time between night and day. After he sins, he notices something new: the days begin to get shorter and shorter.

Darkness begins to eat away at the light of day…

Adam fears that this is the start of a slow process to eliminate light and put darkness and chaos in control of the Universe. But then comes the 25th of Kislev and the start of the month of Tevet (approx. Dec. 21), and he observes that the days are becoming longer again. The light becomes increasingly brighter and he understands. This is the way the world is meant to be.

And so he immediately celebrates an eight-day festival.

"This is our first source for the Hanukah festival, a festival in which we take one light and make it increasingly brighter. A celebration of light conquering darkness…

Here, in the home of the President of the State of Israel, on Hanukah, we are celebrating that unique human quality – the ability to add light... the power of dispersing darkness…

Of course I'm not referring to physical light and dark, but to the light of life, a light that stems from the best and purest intentions and pierces even the most difficult, painful darkness. A light which is the best medicine against the darkness of disease…

"Friends for Health" has taken a holy mission upon itself: to declare "THERE IS A CURE!" before every person who finds themselves in a life-threatening health crisis. Worry, anger, bitterness and despair are all part of the darkness. Making an effort, volunteerism, friendship, stubborn persistence and achievement all come from the inner light in each and every one of us…"

Yana, 9, then presented the President with "Friends for Health's" first ever Generosity Award, which from now on will be awarded to those who give outstanding service to the sick.

The whole event was extremely moving and served as the perfect climax to a fun day out for the children in Jerusalem.

חנוכה בבית הנשיא