The past week in Ukraine has been one of the worst since the crisis began nearly four years ago. The relentless attacks have resulted in people being killed and injured, and the country’s infrastructure has been badly damaged. Many people remain without heat, power, or water. Our leaders, staff, and volunteers have been busy transporting people to places where we provide them adequate shelter and access to essential utilities and supplies.
Notwithstanding these challenges, the Jews in Pervomaisk are finding reasons to celebrate, including the opening of their newly constructed mikvah, the first in more than 85 years. Prior to the Holocaust, Pervomaisk had a large Jewish community, with prominent rabbis, scholars, and merchants; it had schools, synagogues and other institutions. All of it was destroyed by the Nazis, and there was virtually no Jewish presence in the city until after the fall of the Soviet Union. Then gradually, over the past several decades, thanks to a deep commitment and tireless efforts, the Jewish community built a synagogue, established programs for children, undertook holiday celebrations, created a soup kitchen, and much more. The only thing missing was a mikvah, until now.
A beautiful, modern, and accessible mikvah was built under the leadership of the city’s rabbi and his wife, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak and Chana Perlstein, with the support of philanthropic organizations and donors from around the world:
“After six long years of construction and development – despite the emergency situation in Ukraine and the constant rise in costs – we can now rejoice and bless the completion of a mikvah that is elegant, accessible, and inviting, and will serve the women and families of our growing community,” shared Rabbi Levi Perlstein.
The Jews of Pervomaisk have faced many challenges over the years, and they always found a way to endure. Ten years ago, a missile hit the Bohopol cemetery, the largest of the five Jewish cemeteries in the city, that shares its name with a neighborhood in Pervomaisk, that until the Holocaust, was home to 30,000 Jews.
We share in the community’s joy and gratitude on the occasion of the new mikvah opening, and we look forward to the day when the Jews and all of the residents of Pervomaisk will live in peace. Together we save lives and restore hope.
