Ukrainian Jews

Ukraine:

Man arrested after damaging historic Hanukkiah in Lviv

Rabbi Mendy Gottlieb, Chabad emissary in the city, says the vandalism is "a very unusual incident that does not reflect the attitude of the residents".

Antisemitism in Ukraine:

Firebomb thrown at Chabad synagogue in Mykolaiv

The perpetrator, who was captured on security cameras, flees scene. Fire extinguished by synagogue guard. No injuries, but the building's door damaged.

'Confident he will facilitate peace'

Ukrainian Jewish communities congratulate Trump

Rabbi Mayer Stambler, Chairman of the Jewish Communities of Ukraine, issues statement congratulating US President-elect Donald Trump: The Biblical values he champions will undoubtedly guide the world toward a better future.

Kyiv Jewish school damaged in early-morning Russian drone strike

A Russian drone struck the Perlina school in Ukraine's capital causing significant structural damage. Nine people were injured as a result of the same attack in an adjacent multistory residential building.

Ukrainian Chief Rabbi's adopted son killed in war with Russia

Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Moshe Azman announced the funeral of his adopted son Matityahu (Anton) Samborsky

Kyiv Chief Rabbi meets Ukrainian Jewish soldiers for Passover

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal pens letter to Ukrainian Jewish community on occasion of Passover.

Ahead of Passover:

Zelenskyy meets Jewish students, local rabbis

Ukrainian President visits Jewish school in Kyiv on the occasion of Passover: The Jewish community supports Ukraine in the fight for freedom.

Third Passover amid the war

Ukraine's Jews to celebrate under threat of Russian attack

The FJCU finished the long preparations for Passover that began a month and a half ago and began with the transportation and distribution of packages of essentials to 45 thousand Jewish families in the 169 Jewish communities throughout the country.

Ukraine:

Jewish man killed in rocket barrage in Kharkiv

30-year-old Artem Reznik killed in a rocket attack on the city on Friday morning.

Watch:

Zelenskyy lights Hanukkah candles in his office

Ukrainian President lights the first Hanukkah candle in his office together with Chabad emissaries who also serve as rabbis of local cities.

Chabad of Poland to feed Ukrainian refugees over holiday season

Chabad of Poland launches emergency appeal to feed over 5,000 local and Ukrainian Jews during Rosh Hashanah.

Ukrainian embassy:

'Jewish community in Odessa suffering, don't abandon them'

Ukraine's embassy in Israel publishes dire warning of effects Russian attacks on Odessa are having on the local Jewish community.

Urgent Help Needed:

Help Ukraine's Jewish Refugees in Poland

Urgent Appeal: Support Ukrainian Refugees, Rebuilding Lives after Devastating Dam Breach!

Ukrainian refugee couple save thousands more

Ukrainian refugees Rabbi and Rabbanit Halfon, after narrowly escaping Kharkov and arriving in Israel, decided to help others.

Emergency appeal to feed Ukrainian Jews over Passover

Chabad of Poland launches emergency campaign to feed 9,000 Ukrainian Jews over Passover.

Ukrainian Passover haggadah marks community’s break with Russia

After the invasion, Russian-language haggadot have become a liability for Ukrainian Jews.

Interview

Jewish Ukrainian refugee: Escaping war and rebuilding her life

Diana's life suddenly blew up with the first bombs landing in Odessa. She tells what it is like to have to escape and start over in Israel.

Kyiv Jews optimistic as they celebrate their 2nd wartime Purim

Just over a year into the war, Kyiv Jews celebrate Purim in precarious economic circumstances under the continued threat of Russian attacks.

Ukraine:

Synagogue in Huliaipole destroyed by Russian missile

Residents of the city in Zaporizhzhia region report damage in historical part of the city, including the destruction of a local synagogue.

1st Ukrainian Birthright group since invasion arrives in Israel

Ukrainian Jews flown to Israel on Miriam Adelson's private jet for first Birthright trip from war-torn country since the invasion began.

Ukraine Helicopter Disaster:

Rabbi recalls Ukrainian minister's close ties with Kyiv Jews

Chief Chabad emissary eulogizes Ukrainian minister killed in helicopter crash, lauding his strong relationship with local Jewish community.

FM to Ukraine's Chief Rabbi:

'We will increase the humanitarian aid'

Foreign Minister Eli Cohen meets Chief Rabbi of Ukraine, Rabbi Moshe Azman, who says: "I have found a true friend of our Jewish community."

'They won't break us':

Ukraine's Jews use generators to light the menorah

Over the past few days, large menorahs were placed in public places and outside synagogues across the war-torn country.

Despite the fighting, Ukrainian Jews learn Judaism in Warsaw

Limmud FSU Ukraine volunteers gather in Warsaw for a unique event of Jewish learning.

Why Ukrainian Jews are changing the language they speak

Ukrainian Jews have historically spoken Russian. The war is changing that.

Ukrainian Jewish leaders accused of collaboration with Russia

In a Ukrainian city liberated from Russia, local Jewish leaders stand accused of collaboration.

73% of Ukrainian Jews will need to choose between food and heat

Survey of Ukrainian Jewry shows desperate winter ahead; IFCJ to provide $6.5 million towards heat, food, and supplies for winter months.

Ukrainian PM says Kyiv rabbi 'helps unity of Ukraine'

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmehal wishes Rabbi Yonatan Markowitz, thanks him for staying in Kyiv during the war.

The horror of Babi Yar, Erev Yom Kippur 1941

Ukrainian militiamen, supervised by Germans, ordered the Jews to undress. Those who balked were assaulted, their clothes ripped off. Op-ed.

Ukraine war:

Chief rabbi coordinating aid for refugees in Romania, Moldova

Chief Rabbi Goldschmidt visits Moldova to help Ukrainian refugees, confronting the city’s past, present, and future.

With Yad L'Achim's help:

Ukrainian Jews rebuild community in Kiryat Yam

In northern Israel, Ukrainian refugees settle and rebuild, with the help of Chabad and Yad L'Achim.

Ukrainian Jews call for arrest of ex-politician for blood libel

Ukrainian Jewish org calls for ex-Kyiv city councilor to be arrested for spreading blood libel in social media post.

N American Federations announces Ukrainian settlement grants

Jewish Federations of North American launching Ukrainian Resettlement Grant to help Jewish groups settle Ukrainian refugees in the US.

Hungarian palace tied to scandal becomes Jewish refugee camp

Palace in resort town 80 miles from Budapest converted into refugee camp for Ukrainian Jews.

Swiss Jews gather to discuss how to help Ukrainian refugees

Meetings take place after 300 Ukrainian Jewish refugees have found a home in Switzerland.

Watch:

Ukrainian Holocaust survivor says Mariupol worse than WWII

An 87-year-old Holocaust survivor says the bombardment of Mariupol was worse than the siege of Leningrad, in which 1.5 million perished.

TikTok rabbi helps Jewish refugees feel comfortable in shelters

Orthodox rabbi who was born into a secular family in eastern Belarus is helping oversee relief efforts in Moldova.

Despite the war:

Ukrainian Jews prepare to celebrate Passover in public seders

Emergency curfews, supply-chain interruptions and the dangers of war are complicating Ukrainian Jews’ efforts to celebrate Passover.

Warsaw:

Preparing for the giant refugee Passover Seder

Chabad Warsaw has been helping Ukrainian Jewish refugees in Poland and is preparing a large seder for them at a hotel.

Ukrainian refugees join orphans' Bar Mitzva at Western Wall

Weeks after fleeing Ukraine, a group of 13 year old boys participated in an emotional Bar Mitzva celebration at the Western Wall on Monday.

Suspect arrested in stabbing of Ukrainian Jewish leader

Police arrest man suspected of stabbing leader of Jewish community in city of Ivano-Frankivsk.

Ukrainian Jewish leader stabbed 3 times in antisemitic attack

Director of Jewish community in Western Ukrainian city attacked by knife wielding man yelling antisemitic threats.

UK factory baking one million matzahs for Ukraine

UK matzah maker has set a goal to bake one million matzahs for the Ukrainian Jewish community, who are lacking supplies for Passover.

The Ukrainian Jew who saved Yiddish music from oblivion

New documentary highlights role played by one Ukrainian Jew in preserving Yiddish music before and after the Holocaust.

29-year-old Ukrainian Jew killed in Russian airstrike

Serafim Sabaranskiy, a Ukrainian Jew and active Hillel member who enlisted to defend his country, dies in a Russian airstrike.

'I lost my son and now I lost my home'

German Rozhkov fell in battle as an IDF commander. Now Israel is bringing his father and mother to Israel from Ukraine.

Israeli charity to cover everyday needs of Ukrainian refugees

Colel Chabad expanding food card program to help Ukrainian refugees arriving in Israel with not only food but also clothing and housing.

Kharkiv synagogue's windows blown out after bombing

Over a hundred Jews, mostly elderly, are sheltering in the synagogue's basement. "We're worried about them; they can't leave," says rabbi.

92-year-old Jewish woman forced to flee for her life, again

Rachel along with other Jewish refugees is now at the border, with the situation in Ukraine expected to deteriorate.

Chief Rabbi Lau to establish religious court for refugees

Thousands of potential immigrants will have no proof of their Jewish status, having fled their homes without documentation.

Thousands of shell-shocked Jews desperately trying to escape war

As thriving Jewish communities across Ukraine are left in rubble, Jewish refugees desperately seek a way to escape the carnage.

Israel announces new NIS 10 million aid package for Ukraine Jews

Diaspora Minister Nachman Shai announces aid for Ukrainian Jewish community from Israeli govt. and Australian philanthropic foundation.

Bennett to Ukrainian Jewish youths: You have a home here

PM meets students on Masa program from Ukraine , hears of the trials facing their families as Russian invasion continues.

War on Ukraine:

Russian-speaking Israelis display the gamut of emotions

'There are no good guys and bad guys in this story,' Belarus immigrant to Israel says.

Diaspora Min.: 'Israel will continue to help Ukrainian Jews'

Israel 'will continue to assist as needed - this is our duty in Israel, the state of the Jewish people,' Diaspora Min. Nachman Shai says.

Odessa Jews rush to evacuate - on Shabbat

Prayer and panic as Ukrainian rabbis guide their communities into a wartime Shabbat.

Ukrainian Jews storing food, sleeping bags in case of invasion

Igor Shatkhin, the Chief Rabbi of Odessa's assistant, explains how the Odessa community is working to ensure the safety of Jews in Ukraine.

Ukraine researchers locate where in sewer Jews hid in Holocaust

Inspired by a 2011 movie, Ukrainian researchers have found the Lviv sewer where dozens of Jews escaped the Nazis.

Sewer hiding place of Jews during WWII unearthed in Ukraine

Ukrainian historian unearths underground hiding place of Jews who dug their way out of the Lviv ghetto during the Holocaust.

Babi Yar documentary to screen at Cannes film fest

Documentary by Ukrainian director combines never before seen archival footage with new interviews of eye-witnesses.