Home

In the spirit of Hanukkah, Rabbi Levi Azimov, the director of the Chabad Jewish Center of South Brunswick, visited children at St. Peter's University Hospital's pediatric unit and the pediatric ICU to spread holiday cheer and bring toys to children.

"We believe that in celebrating the holiday with the less fortunate, we would like to make sure they know that they're remembered," Azimov told The Jewish State about the motivation behind visiting the hospitalized children during Hanukkah, the eighth straight year he has done so.

Azimov, pushing a cart of gifts, delivered board games, action figures, and other toys to the children.

Among the recipients of the gifts was Allison Fein, 16, of East Brunswick.

"It gives you spirit, it makes you so much more spirited about everything. You don't feel like you're so much in a hospital," Fein said about how it felt to be delivered gifts and warm wishes by the rabbi.

Kristal Neal, the child life coordinator at St. Peter's, said the children at the hospital are usually pleasantly surprised when visitors such as Azimov come bearing gifts and wishing them well during the holiday season.

"They are very surprised a lot of the time," Neal said. "They are very touched when they come into the hospital room and you see it in the smiles on their faces, and it really brightens their day."

That was Azimov's aim.

"There's nothing like the smile from a kid when you give them a gift. It's really inspiring," he said.

To celebrate Hanukkah, Azimov said that in addition to visiting the hospital, Chabad of South Brunswick has also visited prisoners, threw a mass celebration this past Sunday that drew 300 people, hosted a grand menorah lighting on their front lawn, held local parties for different businesses, and visited a senior center.

"The holiday is a time to enjoy and we must remember the less fortunate and to celebrate with them," Azimov said. "That's the message that the Lubavitcher Rebbe emphasized, blessed be his memory, not to forget the less fortunate."