Indian orphans celebrate Chanukah
A CHRISTIAN-RUN orphanage in India isn't exactly the first place you'd imagine young children celebrating Chanukah.
A CHRISTIAN-RUN orphanage in India isn’t exactly the first place you’d
imagine young children celebrating Chanukah. But so grateful were the
residents of the Emmanuel home in Cochin that they lit candles to mark
the festival in honour of their Australian Jewish benefactors.
Over the past two years, Melbourne’s Sharon Kuperholz has enlisted the
support of family and friends to raise more than $7000 for the orphanage,
helping to pay for mattresses and bedding, so youngsters wouldn’t have to
sleep on the floor, as well as the food bill for a number of months, a
kitchen, a washing machine and two computers.
The Kuperholz family first got involved in fundraising for the orphanage
ahead of a trip to Kerala in 2010, as part of a personal policy of always
trying to lend a helping hand to places they’re visiting.
When the director, Reverend Varghese Thudian, emailed Christmas wishes to
“Respected Sister Sharon” last month, she thanked him and explained she
was Jewish and would be celebrating Chanukah.
A few days later, she received a photo with a message from Thudian which
said: “On December 21 evening all children gathered together and pray for
you and family as a part of Chanukah festival of candles celebration.”
Kuperholz said supporting such projects was “a good way of spreading good
will outside of our community”.
Thanking Thudian, she said: “It is beautiful to share in each other’s
culture and festivals. It spreads tolerance, understanding and love.”
Over the past two years, Melbourne’s Sharon Kuperholz has enlisted thesupport of family and friends to raise more than $7000 for the orphanage,helping to pay for mattresses and bedding, so youngsters wouldn’t have tosleep on the floor, as well as the food bill for a number of months, akitchen, a washing machine and two computers.
The Kuperholz family first got involved in fundraising for the orphanageahead of a trip to Kerala in 2010, as part of a personal policy of alwaystrying to lend a helping hand to places they’re visiting.
When the director, Reverend Varghese Thudian, emailed Christmas wishes to”Respected Sister Sharon” last month, she thanked him and explained shewas Jewish and would be celebrating Chanukah.
A few days later, she received a photo with a message from Thudian whichsaid: “On December 21 evening all children gathered together and pray foryou and family as a part of Chanukah festival of candles celebration.”Kuperholz said supporting such projects was “a good way of spreading goodwill outside of our community”.
Thanking Thudian, she said: “It is beautiful to share in each other’sculture and festivals. It spreads tolerance, understanding and love.”
AJN STAFF
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