The Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Receives Token of Appreciation for Heroism During the Attempted Russian Occupation of Kyiv

In a special ceremony held in the city of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, a special certificate of appreciation was awarded to Rabbi Moshe Azman, the country’s Chief Rabbi. The distinction states that the medal was awarded for his activities and acts of heroism during the defense of Kyiv and the region during the siege of Kyiv by the Russian invaders. The medal was presented to the Chief Rabbi by Lieutenant Colonel Sergey Kopashinskyi, who commanded the defense of the capital, Kyiv, during the first months of the war.

“It is a great surprise for me to receive this distinction in honor of our activities,” said Rabbi Moshe Azman. “This reward belongs to each of the dedicated volunteers of our community”

During the initial months of the war, the Jewish community in Kyiv, under the leadership of Rabbi Azman, continuously and courageously helped all the residents of the city and the country. Their aid operations included evacuating the wounded to hospitals, providing humanitarian aid to many refugees, supplying water purifiers, helping to clean up rubble, launching a free mobile medical clinic in Kyiv and even supplying air conditioner units to hospitals in Ukraine. All of this while under life-threatening shelling and heavy bombing.

Only about a month ago, in response to the disaster that occurred following the destruction of the Kherson dam, the Chief Rabbi and his volunteers arrived to provide immediate support to the residents of the area. During the rescue attempts, Rabbi Azman barely escaped injury and death when a Russian artillery shell landed extremely close to where he was standing.

Rabbi Azman said after receiving the reward that “It is a great surprise for me to receive such an important distinction for our activities in Kyiv and all over Ukraine. While I might have accepted the medal, it also belongs to each of the dedicated volunteers of our community. We will continue to work for the well-being and the safety of all the residents of Ukraine until this unnecessary and tragic war stops.”