During this past Chanukah, thousands of Jewish teenagers from across the FSU enthusiastically participated in EnerJew’s traditional Chanukah Challenge for 2023, collectively achieving a new record of 15,831 candles lit across every corner of the region. The challenge encompassed various activities, including parties, charity initiatives, social engagements at kindergartens, communal volunteering, and a range of exciting, hands-on experiences.

In recent years, the EnerJew – FJC’s Jewish Youth Movement across the FSU – initiative has overseen the lighting of nearly 100,000 candles, a testament to the shared commitment of the future generation of FSU’s Jewry in spreading light and embracing the rich traditions of the Festival of Lights, Chanukah.

In collaboration with the LifeChanger Foundation, participants in the challenge illuminated the lives of numerous families and individuals, aiming to further empower teenagers to make a meaningful impact.

The Challenge provided teenagers with a diverse array of ways to participate, making the Chanukah of 2023 an unforgettable holiday. Activities included celebrating at EnerJew Chanukah parties, helping organize events in local EJ clubs or communities, assisting loved ones in menorah lighting, distributing coloring books to young siblings and local kindergartens, creating and sharing Chanukah-themed videos, playing Sevivon (dreidel) with children, expressing solidarity with Israel through the reading of Psalms, participating in the EnerJew video montage challenge, sharing inspiring stories about kindness and good deeds, and much more.

As part of the challenge, thousands of photos were shared on social media platforms, extending the light of Chanukah to the entire globe.