The city of Ariel was busy busy busy during the Hanukkah Holiday!

So many activities to choose from: Children's Hanukkah party with a Clown, a visit to the nearby army post for candle lighting with the soldiers, Adults Hanukah party as well as the Ulpan Hanukah party!

On Sunday morning the Ariel Aliyah children arrived at Ohel Efrym Shul (headed by Rabbi Maizles from South Africa) for the Children's Hanukkah party. The program coordinators had organized a Clown performance as well as a "Make your own Hanukiah" and doughnuts for everyone afterwards.

The Clown performance was great – she spoke both English and Hebrew to the Children.  They danced to Hanukah songs, played games and had a fun time.  After an hour of games and dancing, the children began painting and sticking the Hanukiot and Dreidels and gave the Shul a general makeover… To end the party, each child got to take home their Hanukiah and Dreidel, a Clay Oil Jug and a very large doughnut!

On Wednesday evening the Ariel aliyah community, together with the Army solidarity organization went to a near by army base and celebrated the holiday with doughnuts and pizzas all sponsored by the Ariel development fund. The visit to the army post was an experience to remember.  There was an impressive Hanukkah Ceremony, followed by food and drinks. To see and interact with our Soldiers brought home the great, selfless service they provide our country and entrenched a feeling of patriotism within us.

Thursday evening a well planned adult party took place in the local community center.  The party planned by Natalie Zacks and Rechelle hochhauser was a great success.  Pot luck was organized and every one made or got something for the evening. It was a good chance for everyone to chat and meet (with out the children) families who made aliyah last year got a chance to meet the new families, and everyone got a chance to meet the Sharabi Family who arrived just a couple of weeks ago from fort Lauderdale.  At the end of the event everyone exchanged Chanucka gifts (mostly hot mugs). 

Both the Adults and Hanukah parties provided everyone with fun and entertainment as well as giving everyone the true Israeli Hanukah experience!