Located within the borders of Poland until World War Two, as many as 30,000 Jews were estimated to have lived in Rovno. Their existence practically ceased with the annihilation that proceeded under occupying Nazi troops.
Ceremony Unites Jewish Community in Western Ukraine
ROVNO, Ukraine –- a unique event has occurred in the life of the Jewish community in a provincial town of Ukraine – Rovno. This week, the local community was happy to celebrate an Opshernish ceremony to mark the first haircut for the son of Chief Rabbi of Rovno Shneur Zalman Schneerson, who is also serving in the region as a Chabad Lubavitch emissary.
Located within the borders of Poland until World War Two, as many as 30,000 Jews were estimated to have lived in Rovno. Their existence practically ceased with the annihilation that proceeded under occupying Nazi troops.
Since relocating with his wife Rachel to Rovno four years ago to work with the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine, the two have managed to lead what is now a small but vibrant community. Apart from establishing a Beit Chabad and Synagogue, the community now runs a Kolel for the elderly, Torah lessons for youth and students, a Women’s Club, a charitable soup kitchen, and programs for affixing mezuzah to homes and promote a kosher lifestyle.
This week’s Opshernish was the first family gathering in which the entire Jewish community of Rovno. The Synagogue was filled to full capacity, with over 300 Jews taking part in the ceremony. Among the guests were persons who came from other Jewish communities in Ukraine and from as far away as Israel, as well as officials from the City and Regional Administration
