Despite All Odds, Jewish Pride Displayed in Kharkov

Hundreds joined in for a celebration of unity and pride on Lag Ba’omer in Kharkov, Ukraine. A bigger crowd than ever joined in this year, despite the political uncertainty sweeping through the country.

For the first time ever, the parade began on the Belgorodskiy Highway and continued through the Feldman EcoPark Zoo. Symbolically, Belgorodskiy Highway was the place where the Jewish mayor of Kharkov, Gennadiy Kernes (Moshe ben Chana), was shot just three weeks earlier. Now hundreds of proud Jews were marching in unity and defiance on that same street.

The thousands of people in the park watched in amazement as the parade marched through with signs of Mitzvos and Jewish pride.

Kharkov’s Chief Rabbi Moishe Moskovitz reminded the crowd that the best way to fight the difficult times now facing the country is through adding in kindness and doing good deeds.

Alexander Feldman, the president of the Jewish community, lit the festive bonfire and said he was honored that the Lag Ba’omer celebration was taking place in a park named after him.

A group of clowns and jumping castles kept the children busy, while circus tigers, monkeys and small animals roamed through the crowd.

Tefillin were put on by the men and boys present, and young and old watched videos of Lag Ba’omer parades by the Rebbe.

Lag Ba’omer gave Kharkov’s vulnerable Jews a chance to get away from the current uncertainties and pressures, and reconnect with their Jewish roots with pride.

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