Ukrainian Rabbi: Jewish Community Hoping for a Miracle

by Yori Yalon, Yael Branovsky and Nitzi Yaakov

Ukraine's Chabad Chief Rabbi Moshe Reuven Azman says situation is tense, Jews among those called up to recruitment centers • Ukrainian Jewish community organizes flights to Israel for those injured in the clashes to receive medical treatment.

 

          

Ukraine's Chabad Chief Rabbi Moshe Reuven Azman

The Jewish community in Ukraine is feeling the strain of the country's revolution, according to Ukraine's Chabad Chief Rabbi Moshe Reuven Azman.

"The situation in the [Jewish] community is very tense," Azman told Israel Hayom. "We are on the brink of a war with Russia, and people are being called up to recruitment centers. Among them are also Jews who are supposed to be drafted to the Ukrainian army. It is not a simple situation. The community is tense and worried, and we hope there will be miracles in [the current Jewish month of] Adar Bet. Last Shabbat, there were many people praying in the synagogue after the recent incidents. We are planning a big Purim here in Ukraine."

Currently, Ukrainians are most concerned about a possible violent outbreak in the Crimean peninsula. Azman, who is in contact with the Jewish community in the conflict zone, said, "There is tension there and the situation is not easy. With God's help, we will overcome this situation and make it through. Chabad emissaries are working to help the Jews in all Ukrainian cities."

Under Azman's guidance, the Ukrainian Jewish community is organizing flights to Israel so that Ukrainians wounded in the clashes can receive medical treatment.

"The Ukrainian ambassador to Israel initiated the flights to Israel and we are helping him with this project," Azman said. "There are volunteers from ZAKA [the Israeli volunteer emergency response organization] in Ukraine who are providing first-aid courses."

Reports from Crimean residents indicate the situation is relatively calm.

"No one here is really worked up or panicked," said Liza, who arrived in Crimea from Israel with her husband several weeks ago. "We are just concerned that something similar to what happened in Kiev will happen here as well. No one here wants a war."

Yan Epstein, Israel's honorary consul in Crimea, said some 11,000 Jews lived there, but that they were not concerned.

"All the Jewish organizations are operating as usual and there is no feeling of anti-Semitism," he said.

Rabbi Misha Kapustin, whose Reform synagogue in the Crimean city of Simferopol was vandalized with swastikas, said Sunday, "There is still an atmosphere of danger. Not many people are walking around in the streets. Those who do not have a reason to go out are staying at home."

Kapustin said he was planning to send his two young children to Israel, and that he would be advising his congregation not to take any unnecessary risks.

Yori Yalon, Yael Branovsky and Nitzi Yaakov

Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=15885

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