Third Rosh Hashanah under fire: Jews in Ukraine face ongoing crisis and a severe economic crisis as they prepare for Rosh Hashana. Chabad in Ukraine and the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ) are working to ensure no Jew will go hungry during the holiday season.
The Jewish communities in Ukraine are gearing up to spend another Rosh Hashana under the shadow of crisis and have set an ambitious goal: that no Jew in the country will go hungry.
This goal will be realized through a massive, unprecedented operation by Chabad Ukraine and the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ), which will distribute humanitarian aid and sweet holiday packages to thousands of families.
As the tension continues to intensify, large trucks have set out, directly heading to Jewish communities spread across Ukraine. In the coming days, Ukrainian Jews will be informed of the distribution schedule for the packages in each community.
The food distribution is happening amid Ukraine’s dire economic situation, with a severe shortage of jobs. The distribution will provide much-needed relief for thousands of families.
Each carefully curated food package contains a variety of items to allow every Jewish family to celebrate the new Jewish year; among them are a jar of honey, honey cakes made in Ukraine, and an elegant Jewish calendar for 5785.
The distribution of tons of food to Ukrainian Jews will take place alongside the ongoing efforts of Chabad and community rabbis throughout the holiday season. This large-scale distribution serves as the “opening shot” for a series of activities that will accompany all Jews in the country throughout the upcoming month of Tishrei.
As part of the assistance provided this year by the IFCJ to the Jewish community in the former Soviet Union, 100,000 Jews across Ukraine will receive hot, nutritious meals for Rosh Hashana and the High Holidays.
“We are about to enter the third Rosh Hashana amidst the ongoing crisis,” said representatives of Chabad Ukraine and the Jewish Relief Network Ukraine (JRNU). “This reality challenges all Jews in the country throughout the year. We all pray that the coming year will be safer, calmer, and more peaceful, worldwide.”
Yael Eckstein, President of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, said: “This past year has underscored the shared destiny of Jews in Israel and around the world. As we reflect on the three years since the outbreak of the crisis in Ukraine and as we face Israel’s great challenges, the IFCJ, along with our hundreds of thousands of supporters around the world, is committed to our increased efforts to help and protect every Jew. Despite the war in Israel, we remain dedicated to our brothers and sisters in the former Soviet Union, ensuring they too can celebrate Rosh Hashana with full stomachs and hope in their hearts.”
