Hamantaschen from Israel, Graggers and Fuel: Ukraine Prepares for Purim

While entire regions of Ukraine continue to grapple with damaged infrastructure, food shortages and an extremely harsh winter, Jewish communities across the country are preparing to celebrate Purim – four years into an unrelenting crisis. In Chernivtsi, volunteers will visit every elderly and isolated resident in the city. In Kryvyi Rih, where electricity flows for just three hours a day, the community is organizing a large festive meal. In addition, 24,000 ‘mishloach manot’ packages will be distributed nationwide this year, including humanitarian supplies.

Four years after the outbreak of the severe crisis in Ukraine, Jewish communities uniting tens of thousands of families throughout the country are preparing for Purim under extremely challenging conditions.

In Kryvyi Rih, celebrating the holiday will be no simple task. “For months now, electricity has been available in homes for only three hours a day,” said the city’s rabbi and Chabad emissary, Rabbi Liron Edri. “That means heating systems are shut down in the middle of harsh winter weather.”

Despite the difficulties, registration for holiday events is packed and preparations are in full swing. “Before the festive meal, we’re organizing a costume party for children and adults, and dozens have already signed up. More than 200 people have registered for the meal itself. We all pray that we will merit that there will be light and joy for all residents.”

Rabbi Menachem Glitzenshtein, rabbi of Chernivtsi, described similar challenges. “These days, when it is dark and freezing outside and there is no electricity for more than 20 hours a day, our role is to increase joy and bring the happiness of the holiday to the Jews of our city.”

“Instead of sitting another day in a cold, dark home,” added Rabbi Glitzenshtein “they will enjoy a rich festive meal in a warm and pleasant setting.”

Simultaneously, the community is organizing the distribution of hundreds of mishloach manot packages to elderly and disabled residents, including holocaust survivors. “Young members of the community will deliver the packages directly to people’s doors. Our goal is that the joy of the holiday reaches every Jew.”

24,000 Purim Packages for Ukrainian Jewry

In the coming days, JRNU, FJC and Chabad’s humanitarian emergency network in Ukraine, is launching a large-scale “Purim Campaign,” one of the most extensive initiatives since the crisis began.

In recent weeks, preparations have been completed for the distribution of 24,000 mishloach manot packages across 25 major cities and regions, as well as hundreds of small and isolated villages—some of which are still dealing with severe damage to basic infrastructure.

In parallel, thousands of humanitarian food packages will be distributed to families in need, many with young children. “There are families who have been unable to make ends meet for years,” said one Chabad emissary working in the capital, Kyiv. “Purim is a holiday of joy, but first we have to make sure there is food on the table.”

At JRNU’s large warehouses, volunteers are working in shifts around the clock. Trucks are constantly arriving and departing, packing lines are operating non-stop, and thousands of boxes are stacked and ready for distribution. “It looks like a military operation,” said Rabbi Simcha Levenhartz, director of JRNU. “But this is an operation of kindness and giving.”

What will Ukrainian Jews receive in their Purim packages next week? Hamantaschen baked in Israel, graggers, snacks, cookies and grape juice. In addition, humanitarian packages will include kosher poultry, dairy products, oil, sugar, natural juices, ketchup, mayonnaise, honey cookies, additional cookies, pasta, rice, buckwheat, oats, corn, tea, coffee and more.

This year, due to the ongoing crisis, there is an added layer: emergency equipment. Alongside the mishloach manot and food packages, generators, fuel, heaters and alternative energy solutions have been sent to communities in areas where electricity remains unstable.

“In some places, power outages are a daily occurrence,” Rabbi Levenhartz noted. “You can’t talk about celebrating a holiday when it’s freezing at home.”

Chabad Emissaries report a sharp rise in requests for assistance. “The economic reality is difficult, and the crisis has left wounds that have not healed,” said one of them. “We are trying to reach every location, even villages that can only be accessed with off-road vehicles.”