At least six people were killed and dozens were wounded by drone and missile attacks on Ukraine this past weekend. In the capital of Kyiv, two people died and 38 were injured. The attack cut power to the western half of the city, temporarily leaving at least 500,000 residents without electricity. The tragedies extended to other parts of the country, with one person dying in the outskirts of Kyiv, two in the south-eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, and one in a midday attack in the Kherson region.
Many residential buildings were impacted in the widespread air attacks, and on Friday evening a missile hit the Jewish cemetery in Kharkiv. This is not the first time Kharkiv's Jewish community facilities have been harmed in the war. In the past, the Jewish school was hit, followed by the yeshiva building, the synagogue, and even the rabbi’s home. In addition, many homes of local Jews have been damaged or destroyed. The city’s Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Moshe Moskovitz, was horrified to learn of the damage, but insisted that “life must go on,” he said, “we are preparing for Hanukkah, and we are confident that the great light will push away the darkness.”
On Sunday, Rabbi Moskovitz visited the cemetery to assess the situation: “We are all shocked by what happened,” he said at the end of the visit. “Together with the mayor, we will do everything necessary to repair the damage and, above all, restore the dignity of the memory of the Jewish people buried in the cemetery.”
In another part of Ukraine, a second Jewish institution was attacked. Outside Chernivtsi, the famous synagogue known as the Kloiz Kadisha, was set on fire by an individual with mental health issues.
According to reports, a man entered the synagogue while the security guard had temporarily stepped away from the gate. Police were called to the scene and quickly managed to apprehend the arsonist who had attempted to set fire to a local church last month.
“This is a very sad and painful incident,” said the community’s rabbi, Menachem Mendel Glitzenstein. “The synagogue is one of the most important buildings in the Hasidic world.” Rabbi Glitzenstein added: “Here in Chernivtsi we do not sense antisemitism. There is extensive security at Jewish institutions and efforts are made to neutralize any sign of antisemitism. All residents live together in brotherhood and peace.”
Nearly 10 years ago, the ancient synagogue was re‑consecrated after a comprehensive restoration. Its dedication took place some 180 years after the original “kloiz” belonging to Rabbi Israel of Ruzhin — founder of the Sadigura dynasty — was first built, and approximately 100 years after it was abandoned during World War I.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all the people of Ukraine. We continue to work closely with local Jewish leaders to provide assistance and support, to save lives and restore hope.
Last picture courtesy of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
