Ukraine’s Jews Prepare for Shavuos Under Fire
Even as deadly attacks continue across Ukraine, Shluchim are preparing tens of thousands of kosher dairy products and ice creams for Jewish families in more than 50 cities.
by COLlive Reporter · COLliveBy COLlive reporter
As Shavuos approaches, Jewish communities across Ukraine are once again preparing for Yom Tov under the shadow of war.
In recent days, residents across the country have endured renewed attacks, including a deadly strike in Kyiv that left dozens wounded and major explosions reported in Dnipro and other cities. Despite the ongoing danger, Chabad shluchim say they are determined to bring the joy of Shavuos to Jewish families throughout the country.
As part of a nationwide effort organized by the JRNU network of Jewish communities, local production lines across Ukraine were specially prepared to manufacture tens of thousands of mehadrin kosher ice creams and dairy products under leading local brands.
The goal is to supply more than 50 Jewish communities throughout the country with traditional dairy foods for Shavuos, while also bringing a sense of comfort and celebration to families living through wartime conditions.
Alongside the ice cream distribution, volunteers are also preparing large quantities of food packages filled with dairy products including milk, fruit yogurts, cream, cream cheese, mozzarella cheese and other staples for Yom Tov meals.
Organizers said the packages are especially important this year as many families continue to struggle financially because of the war.
All dairy products were produced under the supervision of the Ukraine Kashrus Committee UK, headed by Rabbi Pinchas Vishetsky of Kyiv.
Rabbi Yehoshua Vishetsky, who oversees the “Ukr-Kosher” certification network in Ukraine, said producing cholov yisroel products in wartime conditions has presented major logistical challenges.
“Over the years we have gone through many challenges with cholov yisroel production,” he said.
A major focus of the Shavuos activities this year will again be the public readings of Aseres Hadibros, following the longstanding campaign of the Rebbe encouraging even young children to hear the Ten Commandments on Shavuos.
Dozens of public readings and children’s programs are planned in cities across the country.
“Our goal is to bring a little sweetness to the children and Jewish families for Shavuos,” one shliach in Kyiv said. “People here are living through an unimaginable period. The explosions and attacks are part of daily life, but we are not giving up on a single child or a single family.”
JRNU organizers said the dairy and food distributions will continue over the coming days to ensure that Jewish families across Ukraine can celebrate Shavuos with dignity and simcha despite the ongoing war.
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