On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in a special first-night Chanukah candle-lighting ceremony alongside Chabad emissaries and rabbis in his presidential bunker. The event, which was organized by the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine (FJCU), upheld its long-standing tradition, despite the heightened security measures in place due to ongoing conflict. The FJCU oversees Jewish life across 169 communities throughout Ukraine.
The ceremony occurred amid one of the most intense attacks on Ukraine since the war began, with Russian forces launching a large number of missiles and drones targeting energy infrastructure across various cities. Given the surge in rocket attacks, especially in Kyiv, event organizers limited the guest list to ensure the safety of all participants.
At Zelenskyy’s request, the ceremony featured a special menorah, which had been gifted to him by Argentine President Javier Milei during his inauguration. This menorah was brought to the ceremony through the efforts of Argentina’s Chabad emissary, Rabbi Tzvi Greenblatt.
The candle-lighting was led by Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki, the Chabad shliach and Chief Rabbi of Dnipro. Rabbi Kaminezki expressed the nation’s admiration for Zelenskyy’s unwavering leadership, saying, “We hope these Chanukah lights will symbolize our victory.”
Zelenskyy, who openly embraces his Jewish heritage, addressed the gathering of rabbis, sharing his pride in Ukraine’s resilience during the ongoing war. “Nearly three years into this war, despite today’s terrorist attacks on civilians, we’re prevailing against all odds – the few against the many, the supposedly weak against what was considered one of the world’s strongest armies, the pure against the impure. We will triumph because there is no alternative. I’m proud of you, our country’s rabbis, for staying with us despite this brutal war when you could have fled,” he said.
Rabbi Mayer Stambler, chairman of the FJCU, referenced the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s message for Chanukah about the victory of the few over the many, and light overcoming darkness. He highlighted that each Jew is like a candle with the responsibility to dispel darkness, an especially important role as both Israel and Ukraine fight for their independence. “We are in the final moments of exile,” he remarked, “and we hope that from the redemption of Chanukah, we will transition to the complete redemption, when ‘nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.'” Rabbi Stambler, together with his deputy Rabbi Raphael Rutman, presented Zelenskyy with a stunning handcrafted menorah made of 24-karat gold, featuring an illustration of the Bais Hamikdosh. The president was visibly touched and promised to place it in his office.
Rabbis from heavily bombarded regions, such as Rabbi Moskowitz of Kharkiv, Rabbi Levitansky of Sumy, and Rabbi Yosef Wolf of Kherson, one of the hardest-hit areas, also attended the ceremony. Other attendees included Rabbi Moshe Asman, Rabbi Jonathan Markovich of Kyiv, Rabbi Mordechai Levenhartz of East Kyiv, Rabbi Avraham Wolf of Odesa, Rabbi Shalom Gottlieb of Mykolaiv, and Rabbi Mordechai-Shlomo Bold of Lviv. All present expressed their continued support for the president.
In another significant event, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko and 15 ambassadors participated in the lighting of Ukraine’s largest menorah in Maidan Square, organized by Rabbi Raphael Rutman.
Throughout the holiday, Jewish-Ukrainian war heroes who were injured in combat will have the opportunity to light Chanukah candles at various FJCU-organized gatherings across the country. The Federation has also launched a campaign with large billboards promoting the holiday across Ukraine.
Rabbi Stambler concluded the ceremony with a hopeful message, saying, “Chanukah is a festival of light and miracles. I’m certain miracles will occur both in the Holy Land and here. We pray for Moshiach’s arrival, which will bring the complete victory of good and light over darkness and evil.”
{Matzav.com}