Still Under Attack, Ukrainian Shluchim Prepare For A Light Filled Chanukah

As Ukraine prepares to mark its third Chanukah since the outbreak of the crisis, thousands of menorahs will be distributed to Jewish families across the country. Along with the menorahs, humanitarian aid packages will be delivered to families, and special Chanukah games will be provided for children. Giant menorahs will be placed in city centers to illuminate the darkened streets, but for some, lighting the menorah will take place next to a shelter.

Victory Through Light

As Ukraine faces harsh, freezing weather, the warehouses of FJC and Chabad’s JRNU network in Ukraine are bustling with activity. Tens of thousands of festive kits are being packed to be distributed to Jewish families nationwide. This will mark the third Chanukah that Ukrainian Jews celebrate under the ongoing crisis.

Community rabbis and Chabad emissaries across Ukraine are gearing up for an extensive Chanukah campaign aimed at publicizing the Chanukah miracle to millions, particularly focusing on the tens of thousands of Jews living in Ukraine.

Humanitarian Support Amid Economic Crisis

Given the dire economic situation faced by many Jews in Ukraine, humanitarian food packages will be distributed to Jewish families. These packages will bring light and joy to thousands of Jewish homes throughout the days of Chanukah. Each family will also receive personal menorahs and meaningful Chanukah-themed games for their children.

The food packages will contain a range of essential items, including flour, oil, shelf-stable milk, pasta, rice, baked goods, natural juices, and assorted sweets. Some of these products are produced locally in Ukraine under the strict supervision of the Ukraine Kashrut Committee (UK), led by Rabbi Pinchas Vishedsky, one of Kyiv’s prominent rabbis.

Public Menorah Lightings in Major Cities

Central menorah lighting ceremonies will take place in some of Ukraine’s key cities. These ceremonies will be organized by the local rabbis and Chabad emissaries and will involve Jewish community members and local dignitaries. Special permits from local authorities will enable Jews to gather and celebrate Chanukah together.

These public menorah lightings will bring light to the dark streets of Ukraine, many of which remain in complete darkness each night due to the effects of the ongoing situation.

Lighting Candles by the Shelter

In areas under heavy bombardment, large public menorah lightings that typically took place outdoors in previous years will now be moved inside synagogues. “We are in a state of crisis, and there are bombings every day,” said one of the Rabbis of central Ukraine, “It’s a real danger to gather people on the streets, and it is strictly prohibited.”

“We will hold a large menorah lighting every evening inside the synagogue, with an expected participation of about 450 Jews. Our synagogue has a shelter adjacent to the lighting area, so in the event of an attack, we can immediately move into the shelter.”