It’s Hanukkah, and children in the Ukrainian city of Odesa are lighting menorahs with their families. However, during the ongoing war they are celebrating from the bomb shelters they have been in all too frequently. And the war isn’t the only danger to Jews in Ukraine during this festive and holy season of lights. Around the world, Jews are wary of attending Hanukkah celebrations following the terror attack in Bondi Beach a week ago.
The Fellowship doesn’t wait for governments to act. During times like these, when the Jewish people need us, we arrive with help and aid of our own immediately, with the safety and welfare of God’s people in mind. Odesa has a fabulous silver menorah in the city’s square where Jewish residents gather each evening for a lighting during the holiday. This has been a tradition in the city for the last 30 years. And, in light of the precipitous rise in anti-Semitism around the globe, The Fellowship stepped in to help provide security guards for the city’s Hanukkah events.
In addition to our dedicated aid to Israel, The Fellowship provides hundreds of thousands in security aid to Jewish communities around the world. Even though they weren’t anywhere near the attack, Jews in Odesa and elsewhere feel the trauma of Bondi Beach – and fear of anti-Semitism should never lead them to hide their identity and practices.
The Fellowship is also proud to have overseen the lighting of the menorah in the capital city of Kyiv. Through our partnership with the Tikva community, we reach Ukrainian Jewish families and children in need. Even though they had spent their third night of Hanukkah in a dark bomb shelter, the children of Odesa still smiled and laughed as they enjoyed the traditional sufganiyot (jelly donuts). The candlelight of their menorahs shines through as they celebrate their safety.
“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).
