- December 15, 2025
- 9:21 pm
- Ukraine
On December 15, 2025, the Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Moshe Asman shared on his social media about an event that united a religious holiday, war, and human responsibility. The first candle of Hanukkah was lit in the Central Synagogue of Ukraine.
Not just by tradition.
And not formally.
During the solemn ceremony, the head of the Military Chaplaincy Service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel Oleksandr Vovkotecha, presented honorary awards from the Minister of Defense of Ukraine and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The awards were received by the rabbi’s eldest son Yoel Asman, middle son Mendel Asman, Chief Jewish Chaplain David Milman, and the rabbi’s first assistant Yakov Asman.
They were recognized for specific actions.
Systematic humanitarian aid to Ukrainian military personnel.
Support for evacuation operations.
Providing hospitals with medical and protective equipment.
Constant spiritual support for soldiers on the front lines and in the rear.
“Very proud,” Moshe Asman wrote briefly. Without pomp. But with weight.
A separate moment of the evening was the lighting of the first Hanukkah candle together with the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Lieutenant General, Hero of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov.
During the lighting of the menorah, a special prayer was recited.
For all the defenders of Ukraine.
For the Almighty to protect them.
And for a true, just peace — without formulas and diplomatic turns.
But this Hanukkah evening began with heavy news.
The holiday this year coincided with a tragedy in Sydney, where during Hanukkah events, terrorists opened fire on rabbis and guests. Fifteen people were killed, including children. Among the dead was the emissary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Eli Schlanger.
In the Central Synagogue of Ukraine, every event begins with a moment of silence in memory of the fallen defenders of the country.
This time the silence was double.
For Ukraine.
And for Sydney.
Lighting the first candle of Hanukkah, Rabbi Asman emphasizes, has a special meaning right now. Because even a small light can dispel great darkness. And for Ukraine, this is not a metaphor. This is the experience of recent years.
The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Ukrainian government, public figures, military leadership, and the diplomatic corps. Among the guests were U.S. Ambassador Julie Davis, Austrian Ambassador Robert Müller, and the acting chargé d’affaires of Germany Maximilian Rasch.
The international presence was noticeable.
But the tone remained restrained.
The right to light the first candle of the Hanukkah menorah was given to the Commander of the National Guard of Ukraine Oleksandr Pivnenko, Chief Jewish Chaplain David Milman, and Colonel Oleksandr Vovkotecha — people whose work is directly related to the protection of life.
In conclusion, Moshe Asman wrote that he prays for a miracle for Ukraine and its people. For the darkness to dissipate. For the war to end. And for peace to be not declarative, but real.
This Hanukkah ceremony in Kyiv became not just a religious event, but a point of intersection of faith, war, and memory. It is such moments that form the living chronicle of time, which NAnews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency tells about, capturing how light continues to appear even where it is least expected.
