How is Hanukkah celebrated in prison?

Answer 1

I am a Jewish inmate in a correctional facility in South Africa. I have been in prison for just under 4 years now. Every year, just before Chanukkah, I receive a visit from my Rabbi, who brings me a set of chanukkah candles, as well as a small kosher parcel as we do not receive kosher food from the prison.

In total, we number 4 Jewish inmates, and I share a cell with 1 other Jew. During the festival, we both come together and take turns reciting the brocha before lighting the candles. We usually get all sorts of questions from the other inmates asking about what we are doing, and we get to share the miracle of Chanukkah with them.

It has been an uphill battle, as the correctional officials did not at first want us to receive the candles as they were deemed to be a safety risk within the prison. Only with the intervention of our Chief Rabbi did we eventually win the right to observe Chanukkah in the proper way.

Next battle? Proper kosher food! Wish us luck! :)

My name is Nicholas Alon Pike, and you can mail me on: fluffygp@gmail.com