Chanukah Lights Dispel Darkness in Kharkov

As Ukraine struggles with political and economic turmoil, the country has begun strict measures to conserve energy and electricity. But even as the residents of Kharkov braced themselves for daily blackouts of electricity, the lights of Chanukah burned brighter than ever.

In an effort to bring more light amid the darkness, Chabad of Kharkov intensified all the Chanukah peulos and increased home and hospital visits.

Rabbi Moshe Moskovitz together with the shluchim in the city ensured that every corner of Kharkov had a menorah lighting, from the Great Choral Synagogue on Pushkinskaya St., to the Opera Theater, the Daffy Shopping Center, the Platinum Plaza – and what is probably a world first – a Chanukah Menorah in the Zoo!

Mr. Eli Belotserkovsky, the Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine, lit the menorah in the Platinum Plaza.

Kharkov mayor Gennadiy Kernes, who miraculously recovered from an attempt on his life last year, lit the menorah in his office.

The lights of Chanukah illuminated the dark streets of Kharkov.