Every Friday morning, in the Menorah Center Gallery, a beautiful young woman offers passersby Shabbat candles, tells them when to light them, and explains why this commandment is so important. This is Naomi Rodyakina, and she’s been doing this for almost ten years. Thanks to this initiative, the light of Shabbat illuminates hundreds of Jewish homes every week.
“In 2015, during a class with Rebbetzin Chana Kaminetzka, I heard the Lubavitcher Rebbe explain that it’s important not only to light candles in your own home, but also to strive to have the light of Shabbat shine in other Jewish homes. I wanted to join this great work and try to fulfill our Rebbe’s call to the best of my ability,” says Naomi Rodyakina. “At first, I distributed candles after evening classes at Shiurei Torah, where I was studying at the time. Then I began doing this at Jewish events and holidays. Finally, I began coming to the Menorah Center Gallery every Friday, reminding all the women who came about the approaching Shabbat and inviting them to take candles to light with blessings and illuminate their homes.”
On average, Naomi distributes over two hundred sets of candles every Friday, but sometimes she distributes significantly more. For example, before Rosh Hashanah 5786, she had to purchase additional candles several times, so great was the women’s desire to fulfill the mitzvah.
“I distribute candles not only before Shabbat, but also before Jewish holidays and other important dates. For example, I distributed candles at the farbrengen in honor of Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson’s memorial day, and I try to do this at all the major women’s events in our community,” says Naomi Rodyakina. “Sometimes women come up to me and offer help—some want to donate money, some want to join me in distributing, and I’m always happy for that. But for me, this is a very important personal mission. I feel that in this way, I’m doing what the Rebbe wanted, which is improving the world, something very important to do in our Jewish community.”
Naomi Rodyakina can’t say how many sets she’s distributed over the years, but by conservative estimates, it’s well over fifty thousand sets of candles for Shabbat and holidays. Beyond the material costs, this is a significant undertaking, requiring attention, patience, love, and empathy. Naomi strives to find the right approach and words for each woman. She is very kind and always positive. At the same time, Naomi is very modest and hasn’t sought articles about her, believing the primary focus should be on the commandment itself, the blessing the fire of Shabbat candles brings to the Jewish family, and how women’s observance of this commandment helps the world become a better and more righteous place.
“I didn’t think I’d be doing this for so long, but there’s a principle in Judaism: if you’ve achieved something, you can’t stop, you can’t do less, and you can’t back down,” notes Naomi Rodyakina. “I feel like I’m doing something important, I’m benefiting the community, that this is my contribution and my mission, and I’m very inspired by the support of my family, our Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetzky, and the joy that through me more spiritual Light is coming into the world.”
