As the war in Ukraine continues into its third year and rockets continue to fall in Kyiv and Kharkovâthe countryâs two largest citiesâthe question was would anyone come to celebrate Purim? Would they brave a city with no electricity and no subway service? Would they chance being at the synagogue when sirens went off?
The answer to all these questions was a resounding yes, as hundreds of people streamed into the Choral Synagogue in Kharkov and Beit Menachem Jewish Community Center in Kyiv.
In both citiesâand in communities across Ukraineâthe Jewish community found a respite from the war with celebrations, music, food, activities for the children and, of course, the chance to partake in the dayâs mitzvot: hearing the Megillah, giving and receiving Mishloach Manot, giving tzedakah and enjoying a festive meal.
Among those who attended the festivities in Kyiv was Olga, a young mother who attended with her daughter.
âComing with my 4-year-old daughter and celebrating Purim after spending the night in the shelter was not just another holiday,â she said. âIt symbolizes the power of the RebbeâRabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memoryâthe Mordechai of our generation, who cares for all Jews and who sent his emissaries to take care of us. It means everything for us.â
Joining local residents for the celebrations in Kyiv, Ukraineâs capital, were Israeli Ambassador Michael Brodsky and representatives from the Jewish Agency for Israel in Ukraine, as well as senior Jewish members of the Ukrainian Army.
While everyone enjoyed the festivities, the reality of life during wartime did intrude on the celebration as sirens wailed during the reading of the Megillah and everyone had to go to the synagogueâs shelters until the all-clear was given.
Kyiv rabbi, Rabbi Yonatan Markovitch who is also a prison chaplain, visited a detention center where he read the Megillah. He also spent time with Jewish soldiers who were in the city, giving them packages of mishloach manot.
In Kharkovâthe largest Ukrainian city near the border with Russia and where attacks on the electrical grid late Friday had the city plunged into darknessâJews arrived for a âroyalâ Purim celebration as the interior of the building was transformed for the day into a palace.
Children and even some adults dressed in costumes, and were treated to myriad performances, including dancers and jugglers. Many people waited in line for a chance to take a âroyalâ family picture in the photo booth. Throughout the day, men also took the opportunity to put on tefillin.
Kharkovâs mayor, Igor Terekhov, attended the festivities and thanked the Jewish community, and Rabbi Moshe Moskovitzâwho along with his wife, Miriam, have led the congregation for more than 30 yearsâfor all they do for the city. Terekhov wished everyone a happy Purim with fervent wishes that like on Purim good will be victorious over evil.
Participants also recited a prayer for the return of the 134 hostages being held in the Gaza Strip, as well as the end of the wars in both Israel and Ukraine.
âRockets can destroy physical light, but it cannot extinguish the lights burning in our souls and the spiritual good and kindness that we can do for others,â Rabbi Moskovitz told the crowd.
As everyone left the synagogue, Miriam Moskovitz said they did so with âbright smiles on their faces and took with them the timeless message from Purimâone of light and happiness, joy and glory.â
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