Ukrainian Jewry refuses to forgo the celebration of Chanukah despite the ongoing crisis. And so, with the onset of the Chanukah holiday, the lighting of the first candle took place at the central synagogue and Chabad JCC in Kyiv, led by Kyiv’s Rabbi, Rabbi Yonatan Markovitch.

Honored with the lighting of the first candle, was the esteemed guest, Israeli Ambassador to Kyiv Mr. Michael Brodsky, along with the honorable Ambassador Consul of Israel in Ukraine Mr. Oleg Vishniakov, and the head of KKL in Ukraine. The event was also attended by senior members of parliament, including members of the Friendship Society between Ukraine and Israel, the Deputy Minister of Justice, and the management of Ukrainian prisons. Dozens of members of the Jewish community in Kyiv also participated in the candle-lighting ceremony.

“Chanukah unites all Jews around the world, around the light of the candles. This year, we all pray for the safe return of all the kidnapped individuals to their families quickly. We hope that the light of the Chanukah candles will overcome anti-Semitism and evil in the world, serving as the light that will illuminate the path of the captives, bringing them out of the darkness of cruel captivity,” Ambassador Brodsky stated.

Each of the participants received a special Chanukah kit, including a personal menorah to be lit at home. The kits were granted thanks to the efforts of the JRNU to bring the light of Chanukah to every Jewish home and individual across Ukraine.

In addition, Rabbi Yonatan Markovitch, who also serves as the official rabbi of the country’s prisons, organized Menorah lightings and Chanukah parties for the Jewish inmates in the various prisons.