The City of Zaparozhye, on the banks of the Dnipro River in Southeast Ukraine, is known for its nuclear power stations, industrial facilities, and advanced transportation systems. For the past 27 years, Rabbi Erentrau has established and maintained an active Jewish community supported by a shul/community center, school, soup kitchen, and mikvah. Presently, more than 700 people, Jews and non-Jews alike, are living in the center, and relying on JRNU for food, medicine and more. During the holidays, Rabbi Erentrau coordinated production of kosher honey and prepared thousands of very special packages for Rosh Hashanah and Sukkot.
Sadly, this is not the first time that war has touched the people of Zaparozhye. Nearly 80% of the Jewish population (that numbered 30,000) was killed during World War II. Today, the people are struggling to prepare for winter with often disrupted power supplies and rising costs. Rabbi Erentrau and JRNU are a lifeline for the community, with friendship and fellowship as well as shelter and basic necessities.
