Givati Brigade soldiers at a Hanukkah ceremony in Jerusalem. Photo: IDF Spokesperson

More Articles Emergency Instructions for Southern Israel: In Effect Immediately The IDF Strikes at Hamas Terror Infrastructure in the Gaza Strip The Chief of Staff Addresses the IDF's Newest Pilot Course Graduates Rocket Alert System Connected to Additional Communities Three Palestinian Gunmen Rig Explosives by Security Fence in Gaza Strip Pilot’s Course Graduates Are Bestowed Their Officer Ranks All Articles

Around 20 000 soldiers are participating in Hanukkah celebrations that are organized by the Military Rabbinate as a part of their In the Footsteps of the Maccabees project.  The project is designed to emphasize the relationship between the bravery and the courage exemplified by the Maccabees and that of IDF soldiers.  The Rabbinate has ordered around 25 000 sufganiyot (traditional jam filled donuts) for soldiers to enjoy over the course of the holiday celebrations.

Around 3000 soldiers are participating in educational tours, as part of the project, to four sites around Israel that are historically significant in the story of the Maccabees:  Bet Guvrin, Tzipori, Jerusalem, and Gush Etzion.  Soldiers will also come together for a Hanukkah candle lighting ceremony at the Latrun Amphitheater.  The ceremony will be attended by the Chief Rabbis of Israel, Rabbi Shlomo Omer and Rabbi Jonah Metzgar, and the Chief Rabbi of the IDF, Brig. Gen. Avichai Ronski.

The Military Rabbinate is making every possible effort to visit soldiers on every base all over  Israel.  Private Nadav, a soldier of the Intelligence Corps based in southern Israel, is very thankful for the Rabbinate’s Hanukkah activities, “It’s great that the army gives us the opportunity to celebrate Hanukkah and to feel the holiday spirit, especially because we are not able to be at home for the holiday.  Other than that, it’s also just nice to break our normal routine.”