Food of Faith: Ukrainian Soldier Discovers He’s Jewish Through Mivtza Matzah at Army Base
During a visit to a military base near Kyiv, Rabbi Yonatan Markowitz, the Chief Rabbi and Chabad Shliach of the Ukrainian capital, witnessed a remarkable moment: a young soldier discovered he was Jewish—thanks to Matzah distribution • Full Story
As part of the Kyiv Jewish community’s pre-Pesach efforts, Rabbi Markowitz visited an elite army unit stationed not far from the capital to distribute Shmura Matzah.
One of the soldiers happened to be speaking on the phone with his mother during the visit, so he told her about the rabbi’s presence and about the matzah he had received. That’s when his mother revealed a long-kept family secret: her own mother—his grandmother—was Jewish.
Surprised and emotional, the soldier turned to Rabbi Markowitz to learn more. After a brief conversation, it was confirmed that he is, indeed, Jewish according to halacha. The rabbi and the soldier agreed to meet again during the soldier’s next leave to explore his Jewish identity more deeply.
Meanwhile, the Kyiv Jewish community is preparing to host multiple public Sedorim across the city and is distributing holiday care packages to Holocaust survivors, the elderly, and those in need. These packages include shmura matzah, wine, essential food items, and Haggadahs—and are also delivered to the homes of those unable to attend communal events.
“It was an incredibly moving and surprising moment to see a young soldier discover his Jewish roots,” said Rabbi Markowitz. “In recent years, more and more people in Ukraine are reconnecting with their Jewish identity, largely thanks to the open and ongoing community activities in the public sphere—efforts that have been met with support from the authorities.”
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