Negril is one of Jamaicaâs tourist capitals. People typically flock to the cityâs iconic Seven Mile Beach to relax, get some sun, and enjoy the crystal waters and white sandy beaches.
On Sunday, Dec. 29, more than 500 people gathered there for another reason: to light the menorah in celebration of the fifth night of Chanukah. The event, featuring the Maccabeats acapella group, was put on by Chabad-Lubavitch of Jamaica.
According to Julia Alberga, whose husband Simon is a Jamaican-born Jew, tracing his Caribbean roots Jewish settlers fleeing the Spanish Inquisition in the 16th century, the event was something sheâll never forget. The Albergas have been visiting the island twice a year for two decades, and she says Jewish events of this scale are not a common occurrence on the island.
âWhen I heard the Maccabeats were coming to Jamaica, I couldnât believe it. Iâm a massive fan,â she told Chabad.org. âI donât remember a Jewish event of this scale ever happening before on the island.â
Even though the Albergas home is four hours away, they drove to Negril for the occasion. âWe couldnât give up the opportunity to join together with the hundreds of Jews from across the world who came together to celebrate,â she said.
Rabbi Yaakov Raskin, who has co-directed Chabad of Jamaica, since 2014 with his wife, Mushkee, points out that the timing had a lot to do with the eventâs success since it coincided with many school and business winter breaks.
âAt the first Chanukah party we hosted in Negril 11 years ago, just two people showed up to light the menorah,â he said. âToday, we lit a 15-foot menorah with hundreds of Jews from all over the world. Jamaica has never before seen such a revolution of light, holiness and Jewish pride.â
âItâs a Special Time for Usâ
This upward trend in Jewish pride and celebration could be seen throughout the Caribbean this Chanukah season. Rabbi Avromy and Sternie Super have been serving as Chabad emissaries on St. Lucia since 2018. A few islands east of Jamaica, St. Lucia is renowned for its pristine beaches, majestic mountains and tropical forests, attracting thousands of tourists annually. As temperatures drop in the northern hemisphere, the Supers see the islandâs population increase.
Chabad of St. Luciaâs signature âChanukah on the Beachâ took place on the fifth night of Chnaukah at Windjammer Landing Beach. The event featured a public menorah-lighting and Chanukah treats, and attendees were given tin menorahs to take home to light for themselves. All of it was set to the sound of Chanukah music played live on a Caribbean steel pan.
Preparing for a holiday when a surge of Jewish visitors is expected adds another layer to the often hectic, yet joyful, life of being a rabbi in an island community.
âThe menorahs are difficult to get and often get held up by customs,â Super told Chabad.org. âCustoms agents are often confused by the colorful candles, and we usually order large quantities, so we have to plan months in advance. Anything we buy from New York has to be shipped to Miami, then sent by sea to the island, where itâs processed and cleared. This can take months.â
Organizing kosher food isnât easy either.
âThereâs no open freezer storage on the island, so unless you fill a 20- or 40-foot container, you canât bring in frozen items without paying for the entire container,â adds the rabbi. âFor our Chanukah food supplies, we flew in from the United States before the holiday with 10 suitcases to make sure we have everything we need.â
Rabbi Shmuly Berkowitz, who co-directs Chabad of Turks and Caicos, concurs with his island counterpart. âEverything has to be brought in ahead of timeâfrom the menorahs to the chocolate gelt and celebration supplies,â he says. âIt can be costly, but itâs all worth it when we see the joy and light it brings to the community.â
âThe Highlight of the Yearâ
Berkowitz and his wife, Chaya, who co-directs the Chabad center, have hosted menorah-lighting events every night of Chanukahâon the beaches, at resorts and hotels, and at private villasâensuring that every Jew living in or visiting Turks and Caicos hears about the miracle of Chanukah and has the opportunity to participate.
âChanukah is always the highlight of the year for us,â the rabbi told Chabad.org. âThis is our sixth Chanukah here. This year has definitely been numbers-wise record numbers every night.â Some 250 people attended the main event on Sunday at the Ritz Carlton, and on Shabbat, Chabad of Turks and Caicos welcomed more than 50 people.
Chabad of Martinque held the islandâs first-ever car-menorah parade, while hundreds attended Chabadâs annual kindling of a giant menorah in Curaçao. Hundreds joined Chabad Chanukah events in the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, the Cayman Islands and Puerto Rico. While not technically in the Caribbean, up north, in Bermuda, Rabbi Chaim and Menuchy Birnhack organized the islandâs first-ever public menorah-lighting, which took place on the steps of Hamilton City Hall. Public officials, including the governor of Bermuda, Rena Lalgie, and the CEO of the City of Hamilton, Dwayne A. Caines, shared remarks at the historic event.
Jewish communal work in the Caribbean can be difficult, but is rewarding, says Jamaicaâs Rabbi Raskin. Come the busy winter months, the days donât end. Chanukah, he says, involves organizing childrenâs arts-and-crafts programs, arranging music, making house calls and dozens of impromptu Chanukah parties with tourists in hotels and on the beach. This Chanukah, he says, Chabad of Jamaica also distributed hundreds of menorahs and helped just as many people wrap tefillin.
âPeople come here to refresh their body and mind. We help them get a spiritual refreshment,â said Raskin.
After the success of this yearâs public Chanukah celebrations, Raskin is optimistic about what the future holds in store: âThis year, we had a few hundred participants at the concert. I have no doubt that for next year, weâre aiming for 1,000.â
Join the Discussion