This past Sunday, on the seventh day of Chanukah, families from across the community gathered at the Chabad Youth Center in Rego Park for a hands-on, educational, and spirited Chanukah Workshop, a joint project of Chabad and The Home Depot. The program was led by Executive Director Rabbi Yaakov Horvitz, whose vision and leadership helped shape an afternoon that blended Jewish meaning with fun.
The workshop opened with words of inspiration and a brief tefilah, grounding the program in the deeper message of Chanukah: bringing light into the world through action, responsibility, and shared community values.
Participants then enjoyed a live olive oil presentation, offering children a rare, interactive look at how olive oil is produced, echoing the process used in the era of the Beis HaMikdash. From olives to usable oil, the demonstration helped make the miracle of the menorah real and memorable for young attendees.
For the third consecutive year, Home Depot returned as a committed partner, arriving with materials, kits, and dedicated staff to guide the children through building their own wooden menorahs. Wearing the iconic orange Kids Workshop aprons, children drilled, assembled, and decorated their projects with pride, assisted every step of the way by Home Depot team members.
Special thanks were extended to Carlos Adorno, manager of the Flushing/College Point Home Depot location, whose personal involvement and continued support were instrumental in making the program a success. His leadership, together with the hands-on participation of the Home Depot staff, has become a defining element of this annual Chanukah collaboration.
The afternoon was an example of what can be achieved when community organizations and local businesses work together to provide meaningful Jewish experiences for children and families.
Appreciation was also expressed to Queens Shmira for being present and providing security throughout the event, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for all.
As families headed home with handmade menorahs in hand, the message of the day resonated: Chanukah is not only about recalling miracles of the past, but about building light together in the present—one child, one family, and one community at a time.
