Kyiv Salutes the Rebbe: Special Television Broadcast and Citywide Campaign Marks 11th of Nissan

In a striking display of recognition and inspiration, Ukraine’s capital marked 11 Nissan — the birthday of the Lubavitcher Rebbe — with a major media initiative that reached millions across the country.

At the initiative of Rabbi Yonatan Markovitch, Chief Rabbi and emissary to Kyiv, one of the city’s leading television channels aired a special, high-production broadcast dedicated to the life and legacy of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who was born in Nikolayev, Ukraine. The Rebbe remains a widely recognized Jewish figure not only within Jewish communities but across Ukrainian society as well.

The program offered a comprehensive overview of the Rebbe’s decades of leadership, his global influence, and his enduring impact on Jewish life worldwide. It also featured testimonials and personal stories from Ukrainian public figures and citizens, who shared how the Rebbe’s teachings and vision had inspired them.

Despite the ongoing war and the many challenges facing the country, the network agreed — after sustained efforts — to move forward with the broadcast. The result was a powerful and uplifting program that brought messages of faith, resilience, and goodness into homes across Ukraine.

“This is precisely in such complex times that it is so important to highlight the Rebbe’s message,” Rabbi Markovitch explained. “He believed in every individual and spread a light of faith, hope, and unity to the entire world. This broadcast was an opportunity to bring that message not only to the Jewish community, but to the broader public in Kyiv and throughout Ukraine.”

Complementing the broadcast, a large-scale outdoor campaign was launched across Kyiv. Digital billboards and street displays throughout the capital prominently featured the Rebbe’s image alongside the timeless Chassidic adage: “Think positive — it will be positive.”

The campaign was designed to uplift spirits and instill hope among residents navigating the ongoing hardships of war, offering a moment of encouragement and a reminder of the power of positive thought and unwavering faith.