- August 27, 2025
- 7:04 pm
- Ukraine
“A ceremonial opening of the house ‘House of Matityahu’ took place, which I built in memory of my son Matityahu (Anton), who died defending Ukraine!
Today, the house has already opened its doors to its first residents! To people and families who have literally lost everything due to the terrible war unleashed by Russia, condemning them to a life of wandering…
But I will not stop doing good deeds, because unfortunately the war continues, and the darkness has not yet been defeated, yet…”, – Moshe Asman.
In the Jewish town of Anatevka near Kyiv, on August 26, 2025, the ‘House of Matityahu’ was ceremonially opened. The project by Rabbi Moshe Reuven Asman is dedicated to his son Matityahu (Anton) Samborsky, who died defending Ukraine from Russian aggressors, and is already welcoming its first residents.
What is this facility and why is it needed? It is a multi-apartment building for temporary and transitional housing for families devastated by the war, with a focus on safety, community support, and memory.
Why is this important right now? Because the war in Ukraine is not over, and people have nowhere to live, and the ‘House of Matityahu’ provides a roof, neighbors, and a chance to return to normal life.
Key Facts
- Date and Place: August 26, 2025, Anatevka, a suburb of Kyiv.
- Project Essence: a shelter for war victims, named after the rabbi’s deceased son.
- Attendees: Israel’s Minister of Religious Affairs Michaël Malkieli, Israel’s Ambassador to Ukraine Michaël Brodsky, Pastor Mark Burns, military personnel, chaplains, and others.
- Symbolism: installation of a mezuzah at the entrance, opening of the Alley of Heroes.
- Status: the first families were already settled on the opening day.
- Support: the ‘Keren Yael’ fund, community friends, private donors.
Who is Rabbi Asman and What is He Known For
Moshe Reuven Asman is the Chief Rabbi of Ukraine, who in times of crisis unites tradition and practice. He builds shelters, coordinates aid, keeps the community in shape, and does not retreat into the shadows when times are toughest.
Anatevka was conceived as a place of salvation, and the ‘House of Matityahu’ logically fits into this fabric. Here, the letter of the law coexists with simple human deeds.
Rabbi Moshe-Reuven Asman is one of the leaders of the Jewish community of Ukraine, the chief rabbi of the Brodsky Synagogue in Kyiv, and one of the rabbis who hold the title of ‘Chief Rabbi of Ukraine’ (in a system where different associations appoint their chief rabbis). He was born on March 14, 1966, in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg).
He is associated with the Chabad movement: after repatriating to Israel, he studied at the ‘Shamir’ and ‘Merkaz Gutnik’ yeshivas, and since the 1990s has served in Ukraine; he currently heads the community at the Brodsky Synagogue in central Kyiv.
Since the beginning of the full-scale aggression of Putin’s Russia against Ukraine, he has been actively engaged in humanitarian aid, publicly supporting Ukraine and opposing Russian aggression.
Importantly, in Ukraine, several Jewish associations historically coexist in parallel; therefore, the title ‘Chief Rabbi of Ukraine’ is used both in relation to Rabbi Asman (as his official office formulates it) and in relation to Rabbi Yaakov Dov Bleich in another organization.
From the first days of Putin’s invasion, Rabbi Moshe-Reuven Asman organized evacuations and set up shelters in the Brodsky Synagogue and ‘Anatevka’ with round-the-clock meals and basic medical care.
He expanded ‘Anatevka’ for thousands of displaced persons, established the delivery of food, medicines, and generators, supported hospitals, and created ‘warmth and communication points’ during blackouts.
A separate focus is on the elderly and families with children; simultaneously, he conducts international fundraising and advocacy for Ukraine, uniting the diaspora, volunteers, and religious communities.
A Name That Became a Home: Matityahu Samborsky
What is known about Rabbi Asman’s children — without excess and speculation.
- The family has 12 children; detailed names and exact birth dates are not published.
- In 2002, the couple adopted a boy, Anton Samborsky, whom they named Matityahu; in July 2024, he died at the front, leaving behind a newborn daughter (born in May 2024).
- During the war, part of the family was evacuated from under shelling; relatives participated in community and volunteer assistance (logistics, care for refugees).
- During the war, part of the young children and grandchildren were taken to Israel and Europe; Asman himself showed photos of grandchildren hiding from missile attacks.
- The ages of the other children, their schools, and addresses are not disclosed — the family consciously protects this for safety and privacy reasons.
Matityahu (Anton) Samborsky is the adopted son of Rabbi Asman, who died defending Ukraine. For the family, this is an irreparable loss, for the community — an example of a choice made in favor of freedom.
The house bearing his name is not a stone monument but a living space. Here, children’s voices are heard, the kitchen is working, and volunteers come.
More about Anton (Matityahu) Samborsky:
– Petition to award the title ‘Hero of Ukraine’ to the son of the Chief Rabbi of Ukraine who died in battles with Russian occupiers has already gathered 20,000 signatures.
– In the Central Synagogue of Kyiv, a farewell ceremony was held for the rabbi’s son who died for Ukraine’s independence at the front.
– ‘Jews do not fight for Nazi regimes‘ — Zelensky.
– The Order of ‘For Courage’ was posthumously awarded to the son of Ukraine’s Chief Rabbi Moshe Asman — Matityahu (Anton Samborsky).
– In Ukraine, Hromadske made a film about Matityahu Samborsky — the son of Chief Rabbi Moshe Asman, who died for Ukraine.
Opening: Who Came and What Was Done
The ceremony was attended by Israeli Minister Michaël Malkieli and Ambassador Michaël Brodsky. Together with the rabbi, they affixed a mezuzah to the doorpost — a short ritual that speaks more to Israelis than long speeches.
American Pastor Mark Burns, spiritual advisor to Donald Trump, delivered words of blessing. Military personnel, chaplains, and representatives of various denominations were present.
Symbolism: Mezuzah and Alley of Heroes
The mezuzah is a sign that there will be a home and law here, not just walls and keys. This gesture is instantly understood by any Israeli.
Next door, the Alley of Heroes was laid — a place of memory for those who gave their lives for Ukraine. The house and memorial stand side by side, like two banks of one river.
“This is perhaps one of the most important events and ‘openings’ I have done in my life…
This apartment building will always remind me of my son, and his name will live on, giving people a new life!“, – said Asman.
How the ‘House of Matityahu’ is Arranged
The project is designed for transitional living: families can move in immediately while simultaneously restoring documents and everyday life. On the opening day, the doors were opened for the first residents.
Rabbi Asman separately thanked the ‘Keren Yael’ fund and everyone who helped bring the construction to completion. Support is not only money but also hands and professional skills.
What Residents Receive
- A safe roof and neighbors ready to lend a hand.
- Community support: spiritual and psychological support, help with everyday life and adaptation.
- Normalization of everyday life: kitchen, laundry, schedule, children’s activities.
- A network of people: rabbis, chaplains, volunteers, and activists.
Who Supported the Project
The construction was supported by the ‘Keren Yael’ fund, benefactors, and community friends. The project was initially conceived as open and sustainable.
Every contribution — from a donation to an engineer’s consultation — brought closer the moment when keys were handed over to the first families.
Why This is Important to Israel and the Diaspora
For the Israeli reader, the story sounds familiar: home, mezuzah, community, gratitude to donors. This is the same practice of mutual assistance we are accustomed to in Israel News.
But here there is also a bridge to Ukraine. When diplomats and rabbis work shoulder to shoulder, it creates not a slogan but real support infrastructure.
Connection with the Jewish Community of Israel
Jerusalem and Tel Aviv see familiar landmarks in this story. The logic is simple: less pathos, more nails and blueprints.
This is how solidarity is born, which the Israeli diaspora understands well: help, memory, responsibility.
We keep the focus on stories where Israel and Ukraine, diaspora and Jewish community, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, culture, politics, and economics come together in one line of destiny.
What’s Next: Steps, Plans, Horizon
The project involves the development of the area with new homes for those in need. Nearby, spaces for study, workshops, and halls for community initiatives will appear.
The goal is not just to survive the war but to return to normal life. This is why such crossroads homes are being built.
Key Figures and Names
- 08/26/2025 — the opening date of the ‘House of Matityahu’.
- Anatevka — a Jewish town near Kyiv, the project’s site.
- Michaël Malkieli, Michaël Brodsky, Mark Burns — official guests of the ceremony.
- Keren Yael — the fund that supported the construction and launch.
‘House of Matityahu’ is more than a shelter. It is a monument to a son who gave his life for Ukraine and a symbol of the connection between two peoples.
Rabbi Asman’s personal pain has been transformed into public good. When memory becomes action, hundreds of families benefit.
FAQ
Who is Matityahu Samborsky?
The son of Rabbi Asman, who died at the front defending Ukraine. The house in Anatevka is named after him.
Why was the ‘House of Matityahu’ opened?
To provide transitional housing for families who lost everything due to the war and to preserve the memory of the fallen.
Who participated in the opening?
Israel’s Minister of Religious Affairs Michaël Malkieli, Ambassador Michaël Brodsky, Pastor Mark Burns, military personnel, and chaplains.
Who financially supported the project?
The ‘Keren Yael’ fund, donors, and community friends who supported the construction and launch.
