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Channels Conversations Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories

Bringing Light to Alaska's Darkest Days

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Bringing Light to Alaska's Darkest Days

Chani Wolf shares how she and her husband are lighting up souls in Fairbanks, Alaska, where winter feels like one endless, snowy night.
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Topics: Alaska
Alaska
Chana Weisberg is host of the Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories podcast and curator of advanced learning experiences on Chabad.org. She lectures internationally on issues relating to women, relationships, meaning, self-esteem and the Jewish soul. She is the author of six books. Her latest book, Shabbat Delights, is a two-volume series on the weekly Torah portion.
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16 Comments
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Jodi Nicastro Stony Brook February 9, 2026

Great interview! She was so positive! Reply

Julie Hirsch MERCER ISLAND January 7, 2026

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

Dina January 5, 2026

Another enlightening interview!
Thank you🙏 Reply

Elisheva January 1, 2026

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

Leah Silver Spring, MD December 31, 2025

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

Yosef Mordechai Gati Queens , N.Y December 30, 2025

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 Reply

DB December 30, 2025

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

Eden Daniella Lazar Plantation December 30, 2025

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

Roberta L Hubbard Kaysville December 30, 2025

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

Deborah Tangi Melloul Jérusalem December 30, 2025

What do Jews do there?? Reply

AB December 30, 2025
in response to Deborah Tangi Melloul:

Business, university etc Reply

Roberta Hubbard January 16, 2026
in response to Deborah Tangi Melloul:

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

E Uk February 9, 2026
in response to Roberta Hubbard:

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

Avraham Seattle WA December 29, 2025

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

E L December 29, 2025
in response to Avraham:

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

Avraham Seattle WA December 30, 2025
in response to E:

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