The staff of Rambam Health Care Campus (Rambam) in Haifa, Israel, gathered in the main hospital building, the Sammy Ofer Tower, today for the ceremonial lighting of the Hanukka candelabra for the festival’s fifth day. This year’s ceremony was unlike those of years past, as the country is still shrouded in the darkness of the tragedy of October 7 and the ongoing war. Rachel Tzarfati mother of Ofir z”l and Yelena Shmeklov mother of Alexei z”l, both victims of the massacre, participated in the candle lighting ceremony. Today’s message was clear: Let us bring light from the darkness.
Yelena Shmeklov (center) lights the fourth candle with Professor Halberthal watching on (far R). Photography: Rambam HCC
Dr. Netanel Horowitz, from Rambam’s administration and director of the Lymphoma Service and Hematology Clinical Trials, emceed the ceremony. In his opening remarks, he said, “Never before have we experienced such a Hanukkah, and we hope there won’t be another like it. The joy of the holiday is mixed with endless sadness. And yet, we have gathered strength and come together, as we do every year, to light the Hanukkah candles.”
Rambam’s Director General, Professor Miki Halberthal, lit the first candle, wishing for the soldiers’ safe return. “We came to banish the darkness, and this year, it is more relevant than any other year,” he said. “We are all determined and steadfast to banish the darkness, fight until the end, and return the light for the State of Israel.”
Rachel Tzarfati lit the second candle in memory of her son, Ofir (27), who was taken hostage at the Nova Festival on October 7 and only recently declared killed in Gaza. The heaviness of her presence at Tuesday’s ceremony was especially pronounced as, only weeks before, she had spoken at a rally at Rambam, calling for the release of the hostages from Gaza. She spoke painfully of the great loss the family experienced upon receiving the news of Ofir’s death. “Ofir went to celebrate his birthday and returned home in a coffin,” she said. “We were hoping for a different ending, a good ending, an ending in which Ofir returned home.” She added, “I stand before you and ask: Don’t give up on the hostages. Continue to call for their return. Don’t give up on security, freedom, peace and quiet. Don’t give up on victory and heroism.”
(L to R): Yelena Shmeklov, Professor Miki Halberthal, Rachel Tzarfati,Or Yosef Cohen (seated), Rabbi Turkov of Chabad and others.Photography: Rambam HCC.
Lighting the third candle was First Sergeant Or Yosef Cohen, a wounded soldier currently being treated at Rambam and calling for the full recovery of all the injured soldiers. “I want to say to you, Rambam staff: Thank you! Because of you, we, the injured, feel better. We don’t choose to get injured, but you choose to care for us in the best possible way.”
Yelena Shmeklov, a nurse in Rambam’s surgical department, lit the fourth candle in memory of the fallen soldiers and civilians. Shmeklov’s son Alexei, was killed on October 7. “This is not an easy time for us,” Shmeklov began, “but together, with the lighting of this candle, we must remember how important it is to kindle the light in all of us, to stay joyful, and to remember that life is stronger than everything.” Shmeklov was accompanied by Alexei’s former First Commander, who spoke warmly about his values and heroism.
Rambam Rabbi Piotrkowski and Rabbi Shmuel Turkov of Chabad lit the fifth candle together, standing in solidarity with the state of Israel. At the end of the candle-lighting ceremony, participants sang the Hanukkah song “Al Hanissim” (About the Miracles), led by Dr. Horowitz. In closing, Dr. Horowitz quoted a line from the song, “That you have done for our fathers, in those days at this time.”
Click below to watch the candle lighting ceremony at Rambam.
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