The Joy of Purim in Small Communities of Western Ukraine

ZHITOMIR, Ukraine [CHI] — It’s became already a usual thing that Jews in the little communities in the western Ukraine receive packages before holidays. So it was also before Purim the year.

449 kids and teenagers in more than 70 towns and villages received delivery with many types of sweets and a Megilas Ester in Russian. Also for 2513 adult Jews from about 150 settlements the mail service brought deliveries of “Mishloach Manot” to their homes.

Every family received also beautiful leaflet about the Purim holiday published by the FJC of Ukraine managed by Rabbi Meir Stambler.

All the aforesaid made possible thanks to the generous help of Ukrainians businessman Mr. Israel Dvoretzkiy and his partner Mr. Arthur Abdinov that already several years give the possibility to the children and adults at the little communities of Western Ukraine to enjoy Jewish holidays.

The “Alef” organization managed by Rabbi Levi Kanelsky provided the “Mishloach Manot” and “Matanot Leevyonim” for about 80 Jewish prisoners in the Western Ukrainian Jails.

Purim parties took place in 52 small communities which included great meals, Megila reading and the collection of “Matanot Leevyonim” for the local poor people.

The special donation for the Purim needs than was obtained by the Chief Rabbi of Western Ukraine Rabbi Shlomo Wilhelm from a local businessman made possible for the Shluchim in main cities of the Western Ukraine to bring the Jews from neighborhood towns and villages to their Purim parties by the specially hired buses.

“The standard of living in going up in Ukraine and that requires that we should increase the level of our activities. What was good enough few years ago that there were people starving for a peace of bread is not regarded anymore. We wholeheartedly thank all the sponsors and organizations that help us keep the high level of our activities” – says Nochum Tamarin, the director of FJC of the Western Ukraine.