- September 29, 2024
- 10:02 pm
- Ukraine
Ukrainian Jews are celebrating Rosh Hashanah under fire and in conditions of economic crisis for the third year in a row. The relief operation organized by Chabad Ukraine and the International Jewish-Christian Fund (IFCJ) is providing a lifeline for thousands of families facing difficult economic conditions due to the war.
As part of the IFCJ initiative 100,000 Jews will receive hot, nutritious meals to celebrate Rosh Hashanah and other high holidays, bringing not only food but also a ray of hope during these difficult times.
Their goal, writes The Jerusalem Post– do this, so that not a single Jew in Ukraine goes hungry on holidays.
As the holidays approach, Jewish communities in Ukraine are preparing for another year of celebrations against the backdrop of ongoing Russian aggression against the peoples of Ukraine. Aid trucks hit the road across the war-torn country, delivering vital supplies to Jewish communities scattered across Ukraine.
The operation, organized by Chabad Ukraine and IFCJ, is ensuring the survival of thousands of families struggling in a war-torn economy where jobs are increasingly difficult to find and resources are extremely limited. Each package includes traditional symbols of the holiday: jars of honey, honey cakes baked under difficult wartime conditions, and a beautifully designed Jewish calendar for the year 5785. These things are designed to bring a little joy and a sense of celebration into people's lives.
“This is our third Rosh Hashanah in conditions of continuous war,” said representatives of Chabad Ukraine and the Jewish Relief Network for Ukraine (JRNU). “This difficult reality affects every Jew in the country, and we pray that the coming year will bring peace and security to both Ukraine and Israel.”
The mass food distribution is just the beginning of a series of events planned for the month of Tishrei, highlighting the global Jewish community's deep commitment to its members in need. As part of the IFCJ initiative, 100,000 Jews will receive hot, nutritious meals to celebrate Rosh Hashanah and other high holidays, bringing not only food but also a ray of hope during these difficult times.
“We see how connected our destinies are,” said Yael Eckstein, president of the IFCJ.
“Despite the serious challenges we face in Israel, our resolve to support our brothers and sisters (in Ukraine) remains unwavering. It is our responsibility to ensure that every Jew can celebrate Rosh Hashanah with a full stomach and hope in his heart, despite the ongoing war.”
It is especially important to note that the aggressor Russia, which is an ally of all Israel's enemies such as Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah, continues to mercilessly bombard and destroy Ukraine. Russia spares neither Ukrainians, nor Jews, nor representatives of other nationalities, striving for conquest and destruction, ignoring the pain and suffering that it brings to the people of Ukraine. Despite this, The country's Jewish community has shown amazing resilience, supporting each other and striving to preserve their culture and traditions even in wartime conditions.
IFCJ (International Foundation of Christians and Jews) is an international charitable organization that aims to strengthen relations between Christians and Jews and provide assistance to Jews around the world, especially those facing poverty and security threats. IFCJ is active in countries of the former Soviet Union, providing financial and humanitarian support to Jewish communities.
