Chanukah Candles Behind Bars at World’s Oldest Prison
Chief Rabbi of Russia, Berel Lazar, Visited the Jewish Prisoners at Moscow’s Butirsky Prison during Chanukah. * Most of the Jewish activities at the Butirsky Prison in the center of Moscow take place in the synagogue in one of the most guarded wings of the building * Dedicated volunteers come weekly to teach a Torah […]
As Elderly Woman Sits in Darkness and Cold, a Chanukah Visit in Ukraine
Visits during holidays bring the plight of the wartime homebound into focus As Jewish people around the world celebrate Chanukah this week, the literal darkness that is the reality for many in Ukraine is coming into clear focus. “We visit people’s houses on Chanukah every year, especially older people who can’t come to the synagogue for celebrations,” […]
MENORAH SHINES AT THE FOOT OF THE KREMLIN
Russia’s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar lit the first Chanukah candle at the foot of the Kremlin in Moscow, with hundreds attending in person and many more watching live. Hundreds gathered for a grand menorah lighting at the foot of the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, a sight that is still considered a miracle for those who […]
Jews Throughout Ukraine Warmed by the Glow of Chanukah
The Jewish Communities and Chabad-Lubavitch bring the ‘Festival of Lights’ to a beleaguered nation Nearly a decade ago, Maya left her home in Donetsk, in Eastern Ukraine, amid the then-growing conflict in the region and moved nearly 900 miles cross-country to Uzhgorod along the Slovakian border, where she became an active member of the Jewish […]
Jews in Ukraine Longing for the Light and Warmth of Chanukah
Public events move indoors to bring much-needed joy to beleaguered communities On Sunday afternoon, Inna Shapiro will make her way to the grand Chabad Choral Synagogue in the city of Kharkov, Ukraine, where she will help usher in the holiday of Chanukah surrounded by hundreds of other Jews. Then, amid the darkness of a city with limited electricity and […]
George Rohr Hosts Eric Goldstein and Other UJA Leaders for Meeting with JRNU and Ukrainian Rabbis
Chief rabbis from Jewish communities across Ukraine and FJC leaders were hosted by philanthropist George Rohr, President of NCH Capital, Inc., for a meeting with representatives from the United Jewish Appeal Federation of New York, including Chief Executive Officer Eric Goldstein. The rabbis shared first-hand experiences from the ongoing crises in Ukraine; Rabbi David […]
Hanukkah in Ukraine: The challenge of celebrating Hanukkah
Ukrainian rabbi: ‘We launched a campaign to explain that the message of the menorah is to fight the darkness with light.’ Based on an article by Nitsan Keidar | INN A week to go until the holiday of Hanukkah and Ukraine’s Jewish communities are preparing for the festival of lights. The heads of the Jewish communities face […]
Ukraine: A Happy Chanukah Thanks to Schmerling Chocolate
Thanks to the legendary ‘Schmerling Chocolate’ of Switzerland, thousands of Ukrainian children will have a great reason to smile this upcoming Chanukah. Nearly 2,000 pounds of chocolate were donated to JRNU, FJC’s relief network across Ukraine, and will be used to create special holiday packages; other donated items such as strawberry-filled cupcakes and peanut butter […]
Dnipro: New Rabbi Appointed to the Historic ‘Alter Shul’
The ‘Old Synagogue’ on Kotsiubynsky Street, and the ‘Dobre’ JCC of Dnipro, Ukraine, has appointed a new rabbi to serve the thriving and developing community and to enhance its activity and participants: Rabbi Adam Smilyansky. “The history of the ‘Alter Shul’ synagogue dates back to the late 19th century,” says Rabbi Adam Smilyansky, the synagogue’s […]
A Story of a Jewish Survival in Nikolayev, Ukraine
Remaining behind in a city without clean water or power as winter arrives Every Friday night, after Elena Bessonova lights her Shabbat candles, she closes her eyes and asks G‑d to protect her family, including her adult son who serves in the armed forces and has experienced many horrors since the crisis began. A resident […]