- October 28, 2024
- 9:59 pm
- Ukraine
President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky congratulated Chief Rabbi of Kyiv Jonathan Markovich on his birthday. This gesture was made during the Sukkot holiday, and its significance emphasizes not only the warm relations between the leadership of Ukraine and the Jewish community, but also recognition of the community’s contribution to the life of the country.
Zelensky sent one of his senior advisers to present the rabbi with his book as a gift “Message from Ukraine” with a personal signature, which became a symbol of respect for the work of the rabbi and his commitment to preserving Jewish traditions, despite the current difficult situation in the country. Told about this Maariv October 27, 2024.
Quote from Rabbi Markovich: “Despite the difficult challenges and difficult security situation, this year we have seen a special awakening among the Jews of Kyiv in the desire to observe the holiday commandments,” said Rabbi Markovich.
“The impressive presence and genuine joy at the celebrations prove that the Jewish community in Kyiv is strong and continues to thrive even in difficult times.
The special gesture of the President of Ukraine warms the heart and demonstrates the strong connection between the Jewish community and the state.”
The role of the community and the meaning of Sukkot
During the holiday of Sukkot, the Beit Menachem JCC in Kyiv, under the leadership of Markovich, organized events where hundreds of Jews were able to participate in prayers and celebrations. These were not easy undertakings given the current security realities and frequent air raids in the city.
| Event | Description |
|---|---|
| Holiday meals | Daily meals attended by community members strengthened the connection between participants and traditions. |
| Mobile synagogue | The Uber-Sukkah project, where a mobile sukkah allowed citizens to perform religious rituals |
| Procession with Lulov | The daily ritual associated with the holiday made it possible to observe the commandment of the four plants |
| Early Events | Due to security restrictions, some events have been rescheduled |
These events helped the Jewish residents of Kyiv strengthen their connection with their culture and traditions, despite the tense situation.
Warmth in relations between the state and the Jewish community
Relations between the Ukrainian state and the Jewish community continue to strengthen. Zelensky personally called Markovich, expressing respect and wishes for a successful year. Markovic's words underscore how important it is that even in difficult times, the Jewish community feels supported and understood by the country's leadership.
Quote: “Our community is strong and continues to thrive thanks to the support and connection with the state,” said Rabbi Markovich.
The importance of Sukkot for the Jews of Kyiv
The annual celebration of Sukkot continues to be a symbol of unity and hope for the Jewish community in Kyiv.
Book by Vladimir Zelensky “Message from Ukraine” is a collection of speeches he gave between 2019 and 2022. The publication includes speeches in which Zelensky addresses various international audiences, from parliaments to world organizations. The book was published by Penguin Random House in 2022, a few months after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and became a kind of manifesto of resistance addressed to the world community.
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