Negril is one of Jamaica’s tourist capitals. People typically flock to the city’s 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 she’ll 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.
“When I heard the Maccabeats were coming to Jamaica, I couldn’t believe it. I’m a massive fan,” she told Chabad.org. “I don’t remember a Jewish event of this scale ever happening before on the island.”
Even though the Albergas home is four hours away, they drove to Negril for the occasion. “We couldn’t give up the opportunity to join together with the hundreds of Jews from across the world who came together to celebrate,” 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 event’s success since it coincided with many school and business winter breaks.
“At the first Chanukah party we hosted in Negril 11 years ago, just two people showed up to light the menorah,” he said. “Today, 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.”
‘It’s a Special Time for Us’
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 island’s population increase.
Chabad of St. Lucia’s signature “Chanukah on the Beach” 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.
“The menorahs are difficult to get and often get held up by customs,” Super told Chabad.org. “Customs 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 it’s processed and cleared. This can take months.”
Organizing kosher food isn’t easy either.
“There’s no open freezer storage on the island, so unless you fill a 20- or 40-foot container, you can’t bring in frozen items without paying for the entire container,” adds the rabbi. “For 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.”
Rabbi Shmuly Berkowitz, who co-directs Chabad of Turks and Caicos, concurs with his island counterpart. “Everything has to be brought in ahead of time—from the menorahs to the chocolate gelt and celebration supplies,” he says. “It can be costly, but it’s all worth it when we see the joy and light it brings to the community.”
‘The Highlight of the Year’
Berkowitz and his wife, Chaya, who co-directs the Chabad center, have hosted menorah-lighting events every night of Chanukah—on the beaches, at resorts and hotels, and at private villas—ensuring that every Jew living in or visiting Turks and Caicos hears about the miracle of Chanukah and has the opportunity to participate.
“Chanukah is always the highlight of the year for us,” the rabbi told Chabad.org. “This is our sixth Chanukah here. This year has definitely been numbers-wise record numbers every night.” 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 island’s first-ever car-menorah parade, while hundreds attended Chabad’s 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 island’s 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 Jamaica’s Rabbi Raskin. Come the busy winter months, the days don’t end. Chanukah, he says, involves organizing children’s 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.
“People come here to refresh their body and mind. We help them get a spiritual refreshment,” said Raskin.
After the success of this year’s public Chanukah celebrations, Raskin is optimistic about what the future holds in store: “This year, we had a few hundred participants at the concert. I have no doubt that for next year, we’re aiming for 1,000.”
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