JNF UK’s Legacy department organised an online musical Chanukah celebration for its clients this year. What would have been an annual festive gathering in person, with latkes and sufganiot, was this year held online. However, the tradition of live entertainment was still at the heart of the event.

Headed by JNF UK’s Director of Legacies Carolyn Addleman, and joined by Director for Community Relations David Goodman, JNF UK took their clients on a virtual tour of the Stanley Grossmith Music Conservatory in Yerucham, including watching live performances from some of the conservatory’s talented young musicians.

Furthermore, the programme for this Chanukah event included live candle lighting from JNF UK’s  London offices, as well as students from the music conservatory. To complete the evening, His Excellency Neil Wigan, British Ambassador to Israel, and Tal Ohana, Mayor of Yerucham, also joined to send their best wishes to the attendees.

JNF UK was involved with the renovation and expansion of the music conservatory. The renovation included six soundproofed rehearsal rooms, an upgraded concert hall and the installation of new technical equipment. A new wing, comprising four additional rehearsal rooms, was also built. This initiative was part of JNF UK’s longstanding commitment to the development of Yerucham and the Negev region as a whole.

HE Neil Wigan, British Ambassador to Israel, commented:

“Thank you JNF UK for this wonderful evening. It’s an honour to join for this candle lighting, and to thank JNF UK’s generous donors. Many families in Israel, especially in the south, will celebrate Chanukah with the blessings provided to them by JNF UK’s brilliant work, which could not have been made possible without your help. I’m particularly grateful for your remarkable efforts in assisting and supporting the most vulnerable communities in the Negev during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is your generosity, commitment, and hard work that lets the great light in and drives the darkness out.”