For the past weeks, our staff and volunteers have been working around the clock to ensure that the Jews of Ukraine will be able to celebrate Purim, especially the children. There has been a steady stream of trucks arriving and departing from our warehouses where thousands of boxes are stacked and ready for distribution. “It looks like a military operation,” said Rabbi Simcha Levenhartz, director of JRNU in Ukraine, “but this is an operation of kindness and giving.”
Each gift box is filled with Hamantaschen baked in Israel, graggers, snacks, cookies, and grape juice. Food parcels are also ready to go, containing poultry, dairy products, oil, sugar, juice, honey cookies, pasta, rice, wheat, oats, corn, tea, coffee, condiments, and more. In all, 24,000 households will receive packages, and communities will receive emergency items including generators, fuel, and heaters.
“In some places, power outages are a daily occurrence,” Rabbi Levenhartz noted. “You can’t talk about celebrating a holiday when it’s freezing at home.”
Many local rabbis report a sharp rise in requests for assistance. “The economic reality is difficult, and the crisis has left wounds that have not healed,” said one of them. “We are trying to reach every location, even villages that can only be accessed with off-road vehicles.” Another added, “There are families who have been unable to make ends meet for years. Purim is a holiday of joy, but first we have to make sure there is food on the table.”
On Monday night and Tuesday there will be Megillah readings, costume parties, and parades. In Kryvyi Rih, the rabbi has organized a large holiday meal. “For months now, electricity has been available in homes for only three hours a day,” said the city’s rabbi Liron Edri. “That means heating systems are shut down in the middle of harsh winter weather,” he explained. But the holiday events will be well attended: “Before the festive meal, we’re organizing a costume party for children and adults, and dozens have already signed up. More than 200 people have registered for the meal itself. We all pray that there will be light and joy for all residents.”
Menachem Glitzenshtein, the rabbi in Chernivtsi, described similar challenges. “These days, when it is dark and freezing outside and there is no electricity for more than 20 hours a day, our role is to increase joy and bring the happiness of the holiday to the Jews of our city.” He added, “instead of sitting another day in a cold, dark home, they will enjoy a rich festive meal in a warm and pleasant environment.” In Chernivtsi, hundreds of mishloach manot packages will be personally delivered to elderly and disabled residents, including holocaust survivors: “Young members of the community will deliver the packages directly to people’s doors. Our goal is that the joy of the holiday reaches every Jew,” explained Rabbi Glizenshtein.
Wishing the Jews in Ukraine and around the world a Happy Purim!
!חג שמח
Together we save lives and restore hope.
