10 months ago

Haditch: Trump’s Ambassador-Designate Inaugurates Historic “Kohanim Bridge”

Rabbi Yehuda Kaplun, a Chabad Chossid from Miami and President Donald Trump’s ambassador-designate for Monitoring and Combating Antisemitism, inaugurated a historic new Kohanim Bridge in Haditch, northeastern Ukraine, enabling Kohanim to now visit the holy resting place of The Alter Rebbe • Full Story, Photos, Watch

The new bridge, built at a cost of more than one million dollars, is the second Kohanim Bridge constructed at the site. The first was erected by Reb Yehuda Leib, the Alter Rebbe’s brother, but was destroyed during the eras of communism and Nazism. For over 100 years since, Kohanim were unable to access the holy resting place directly.

This newly inaugurated bridge is the largest of its kind in Ukraine, and perhaps in all of Europe. Spanning some 200 meters, it is made up of 37 segments and contains 178 steps. Its construction posed complex halachic questions, and it is built from corten steel — a special alloy designed to withstand rust — ensuring it can last over a century without maintenance. The sections were manufactured at a distant plant, requiring 20 trucks to deliver the pieces over a combined journey of 18,000 kilometers. An underfloor heating system was also installed to melt the deep winter snows of the region, with an energy demand of 100 kilowatts, further raising costs.

Although not yet officially confirmed, Rabbi Kaplun has been nominated by Trump for the ambassadorial role, with Prime Minister Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials expressing support for his appointment. He still awaits U.S. Senate confirmation in the coming month. A Kohen himself, Rabbi Kaplun was honored to be the first to cross the new bridge and daven at the Alter Rebbe’s Tziyun. Until now, Kohanim had to remain 200 meters away, praying from a small balcony at the nearby guest complex.

On his way to Haditch — a 20-hour road journey from the airport in Chisinau, Moldova — Rabbi Kaplun also prayed at the resting places of The Baal Shem Tov in Mezhibuzh and Reb Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, where he observed the vibrant growth of Jewish communities and pilgrimage sites.

Speaking at the inauguration, Rabbi Kaplun said he was moved to witness Jewish life in Ukraine flourishing despite the ongoing war, and praised the support that Chabad emissaries and Jewish communities receive from both national and regional authorities. He concluded with Birchas Kohanim for the assembled crowd and prayed for the swift return of the hostages still held by Hamas.

Rabbi Shneor Zalman Deitsch, the Chabad Shliach and rabbi of Haditch and its region, spoke emotionally: “Our hearts are filled with joy at this historic moment. For generations, countless Jews yearned for this. The Alter Rebbe dedicated his life to spreading Chassidus, to infusing faith with vitality, and to uniting the Jewish people. In his later years, he lamented that Kohanim abroad were unable to bless the people daily as in Eretz Yisroel. This bridge is not merely steel — it is holiness, purity, and connection between worlds. It enables Kohanim to pray at the Alter Rebbe’s resting place just as they once did.”

Rabbi Deitsch noted that the project took four years of planning, engineering, halachic deliberations, permits, and countless tefillos. He thanked Rabbi Kaplun, the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine (FJCU) and its head Rabbi Meir Stambler, the generous donors, halachic authorities, architects from Yoma Architects, engineers, contractors, and all who supported the project. He also recalled prophetic words of The Rebbe from exactly 40 years ago, during the height of Soviet oppression, when the Rebbe spoke about the need to build a bridge to the Alter Rebbe’s Tziyun.

Haditch mayor Vladimir Nistorenko attended the ceremony, praising the cooperation between the municipality and Chabad in making the bridge a reality. The following day, he informed Rabbi Kaplun that, thanks to Rabbi Stambler’s advocacy, funds had been allocated to pave 40 kilometers of road leading to Haditch, which until now was in poor condition.

Event moderator Rabbi Shlomo Riesel noted the mayor’s dedication, saying: “In Jewish tradition, every leader has a great angel in Heaven advocating on his behalf. Though Haditch may seem small physically, it is spiritually vast and a magnet for Jews worldwide. Surely Mayor Nistorenko has a mighty angel watching over him for the honor and care he shows the Alter Rebbe and Jewish visitors year-round.”

Also present was Rabbi Yitzchak Goldstein, CEO of Chevra Kadisha in Jerusalem, whose organization Chesed Shel Emes helped resolve the halachic complexities and secured approval from the Chabad Rabbinical Court and the Badatz of the Eidah HaChareidis. Rabbi Yochanan Lombard, representing the Taharat Kohanim organization, also attended.

The Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine (FJCU) issued a statement: “We were delighted to welcome Ambassador-designate Kaplun and to see him witness firsthand the blossoming of Jewish life in Ukraine, the religious freedom enjoyed here, and the extensive support provided by authorities at every level.”