Bringing Light to Alaska's Darkest Days
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this was my favorite interview. she is so upbeat. my Jewish friend just moved to Dillingham, and it helped give me insight into her experience too. Reply
Another enlightening interview!
Thank you🙏
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What an incredible interview!! Kol hakavod for the amazing work you do! Please let us know how we can support in any way. This is so inspiring🙏 Reply
Great to hear that you're in Fairbanks and doing well! How large is the Fairbanks Jewish community? I have prayed with Chabad in Anchorage when I was working briefly in remote villages in southwest Alaska (Bethel hub). I love that Alaska Jews call themselves "the Frozen Chosen". Reply
It is the Koach ( Strength ) of The Rebbe that
Inspires these Shluchim to thrive in their outreach to Jews even as far as Fairbanks
Alaska
Yosef Mordechai Gati Queens , N.Y
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Chani, you really live your life with a sense of mission! you and your husband are an inspiration! you should have the strength to continue your holy work!! Reply
I never planned to go to Fairbanks Alaska but after this interview I will put it on my list as I would love to meet Chani. Such a ray of light! Do they have a website where you can donate for their mikveh? Reply
Wow!! I lived in Ketchikan, Alaska, and Juneau, Alaska, for three years, but I never made it north to the Northern wild like Fairbanks or even Anchorage. You are on top of the world, and nothing like it, or can describe what it is like living in a place like that, but Praise God, he is alive in Alaska, and in every quiet corner of the world, even the cold, snowy regions of Alaska and elsewhere. Reply
What do Jews do there?? Reply
My husband was a logger, but then was killed in an logging accident when he was age 33. Our daughters were 12 and 14 at the time. It was a special community and everyone knew each other. I lived in Ketchikan for 14 years, and Juneau for 3. It was very special living along the water like that and mountains, eagles, bears, rain in all shapes and sizes...A humble and artistic people living close to nature. Most of Alaska's Jewish population (around 6,000 total) lives in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau, with smaller groups in places like Sitka and Ketchikan. Reply
Goodness.Your comment reads like something out of a movie.Sounds like you have a really interesting life! I hope you and your family are well and doing ok❤️🇬🇧👋 Reply
I have a religious friend who I learn chassidus with weekly, and he lives in Inuvik, Northwest Territories(68.3 degrees N) which is much higher north than Fairbanks (64.4 degrees N) and is also in the artic circle. I believe he and his family are the northern most religious jews in North America. They have a whole month of polar night (full darkness) and about 2 months of polar day (full day). I dont know what the halacha is for Shabbat and prayers for such days. I'll ask him. But just in case, what is the halacha is such a case? Reply
I googled and do not see a Chabad House in Inuvik.Only a mosque.Just wondering is your friend Jewish? And just wondering again, what is a religious person doing there? Just wondering. Reply
Yes he and his family are Jewish. They are baal teshuvas. I dont know his whole back story and how he ended up there, but he lived in Jerusalem and Toronto before. Reply
Great interview! She was so positive!