11 months ago

Israeli Foreign Minister Gidon Sa’ar Meets Jewish Community Leaders in Ukraine

During his diplomatic visit to Kyiv, Foreign Minister Gidon Sa’ar met with Chabad shluchim and Jewish community leaders across Ukraine, highlighting the importance of unity and support for Jewish life abroad • Full Story, Photos

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, on a diplomatic visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, met with Chabad Shluchim and leaders of the country’s Jewish community. During the meeting, Sa’ar emphasized the importance of connecting with Jewish communities abroad, stating: “In every diplomatic visit, I make it a point to meet the local Jewish community. It’s of great importance — we are one people and must stand together. The Jewish community in Ukraine is strong and diverse. The goal of my visit to Kyiv is to strengthen Israel–Ukraine relations, but it’s also vital to deepen this connection between us.”

The meeting was organized by Israel’s Ambassador to Ukraine, Mr. Michael Brodsky, and included notable participants such as Rabbi Meir Stambler, head Shliach and chairman of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine; his deputy Rabbi Raphael Rutman; Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Rabbi Moshe Azman; Rabbi Yaakov Djan of Uman; and others.

Rabbi Stambler warmly welcomed the minister, expressing hope that his visit would bring benefit both to the Jews of Ukraine and the country itself. He remarked: “Israel’s destruction of key Iranian capabilities has significantly helped Ukraine indirectly — it eases the military pressure on us. We fully support Israel and urge it to continue doing what’s necessary — for the Jewish people in Israel, the Jewish diaspora, and for Ukraine.”

He also noted that there are currently 200 Chabad families active throughout Ukraine and added that the Jewish community expects more visible support from Israel, including concrete actions. “We pray for peace — both for Israel and Ukraine — and for the coming of Moshiach,” he said.

Minister Sa’ar expressed admiration for the strength and reach of Ukraine’s Jewish community and the tremendous work of the Rebbe’s Shluchim through the Federation led by Rabbis Stambler and Rutman, serving hundreds of thousands of Jews across the country. He reiterated Israel’s support for Ukraine in many areas.

The minister also mentioned that he had chosen Rabbi Stambler as the representative of Ukrainian Jewry in the newly established “G50” initiative — a strategic group of 50 global Jewish leaders working with Israel’s Foreign Ministry to shape relations with the Jewish diaspora.

He extended thanks to Ambassador Brodsky for his dedicated efforts, and to Ukraine’s Ambassador to Israel, Yevhen Korniychuk.

Chief Rabbi Moshe Azman thanked Minister Sa’ar for his visit and noted the personal connection the minister has to Ukraine — his grandmother was born there.

At the request of Ukrainian officials, the foreign minister also took part in a memorial prayer ceremony at Babi Yar, where tens of thousands of Jews from Kyiv were murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators. Rabbi Raphael Rutman recited “KEl Malei Rachamim”.

Minister Sa’ar also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.