Jewish Soldiers from the Frontlines Celebrated Purim with the Jewish Community in Kyiv
Amid negotiations for a ceasefire in Ukraine, Jewish soldiers arrived from the battlefronts to celebrate Purim together with the Jewish community in Kyiv, led by the city’s Shliach, Rabbi Yonatan Markovitch • Read More, Photos
Purim celebrations in Kyiv’s Jewish community this year took place against the backdrop of ceasefire negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, mediated by the United States. In this context, one of the most emotional scenes was the arrival of a group of Jewish soldiers who were granted special leave from the front to participate in the Purim festivities.
At the city’s Synagogue – Beis Menachem Chabad JCC – led by Rabbi Yonatan Markovitch, hundreds of community members gathered for the Megillah reading. Among the city’s residents, the uniformed soldiers, who had come directly from the battlefield, stood out.
“It was an incredibly moving sight,” said one community member. “Soldiers who were in the trenches just yesterday are now sitting in the synagogue, listening to the Megillah, and taking part in the holiday’s joy.”
Among those present at the central event were the head of Ukrainian military intelligence and advisor to President Zelensky, General Budanov, Israel’s Ambassador to Ukraine Michael Brodsky, Israel’s Honorary Consul, and high-ranking officials from the Ukrainian government and military.
“I came especially from the eastern front, traveling nearly 12 hours to be here today,” said Captain Igor, a Jewish soldier in the Ukrainian army. “The opportunity to celebrate Purim with the Jewish community is a moment of light in a challenging time.”
The Jewish community in Kyiv organized Purim activities on multiple levels this year. In addition to the main events, Rabbi Markovitch, who also serves as the chief chaplain for Ukraine’s prison system, held Megillah readings in detention centers and arranged Purim gift packages for Jewish inmates across the country.
Meanwhile, volunteers from the community, with the assistance of the Association for the Advancement of the Jewish Community of Israel-Ukraine, visited the homes of elderly and sick individuals who were unable to attend the celebrations, delivering Purim gift packages to them. Special attention was also given to soldiers remaining on the frontlines, who received Purim packages and care packages.
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