Despite the turmoil in the country, the new Kiev Mayor, Ambassadors and foreign officials from the EU, US, UK, Israel, Germany and Switzerland joined the local Jewish Ukrainian business community and Ukrainian officials at the annual Chanukah party and Menorah lighting hosted by Raphael and Devorah Rutman at the exclusive five star Intercontinental Hotel in the center of Kiev.
The evening, which fell on the sixth night of Chanukah this year, began with opening remarks by the host, Raphael Rutman. He thanked all of the participants for making the effort to come to spread the universal message of the Chanukah Lights and called for everyone to stand in a moment of silence to honor the memory of all those that have died during the uprising in Ukraine that began last Chanukah.
Rabbi Meir Stambler, president of The Federation of Jewish Communities in Ukraine, talked about the importance of hope and religious freedom that Chanukah represents and the importance of tolerance and light in times like these, with war still raging in the east of the country. He also described the extensive activities of the organization throughout the year in Ukraine and thanked the Ukrainian authorities for the tolerance they show towards the Jews in the country.
Among the ambassadors who spoke were Mr. Eli Belotserkovsky, the Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine; Mr. Simon Smith, the British Ambassador to Ukraine; Mr. Yan Tombinski, Ambassador and Head of the EU delegation to Ukraine; Ms. Anka Feldhusen, the German Ambassador to Ukraine; Dr. Christian Schoenenberger, the Swiss Ambassador to Ukraine; Mr. Brian Campbell, representative of the US Embassy in Ukraine and the new Mayor of Kiev, World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Mr. Vitali Klitchko. They spoke about the importance of freedom of speech and democracy that Chanukah stands for, as well as thanked the organizers for the opportunity to join in the celebrations and expressed greetings and blessings from their respective countries.
Rabbi Pinchos Vishedsky, Chief Rabbi of Donetsk, also addressed the crowd and thanked the city officials and community for welcoming his family and other refugees from the war zone.
After viewing a selection of short videos about Chanukah and present day miracles, the Menorah lighting began. Each guest was given a candle to light and hold during the ceremony, while the Ambassadors, government officials and other VIP’s were honored with helping to light the Shamash of the Menorah by uniting their candles together. The large Menorah itself was lit by the new Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine, Mr. Eli Belotserkovsky.
After the formal lighting was completed, the Upsherinish of Zeffy Rutman began. The guests were explained the importance of the tradition of the first haircut, and Zeffy’s grandfather from London was given the honor of cutting the first lock of hair. The guests were then invited to join in a traditional Chanukah buffet including latkes, handmade doughnuts and many other delicacies. The guests lingered, savoring the warm Chanukah atmosphere and the delicious food organized by Devorah Rutman.
In addition to the annual Menorah lighting, large menorahs were placed in the lobbies of all of the five star hotels in Kiev. Every night of Chanukah there were lightings in each hotel, conducted by Raphael Rutman, and attended by hotel guests and invited Kiev community members, including rabbis, government officials and businessmen.
Incredibly inspiring how you guys keep on putting on such incredible events…
what a beautiful event! we welcome you(pl} to visit the Judean hills and bat ayin!
What a beautiful and tznius family. A special mazel tov to Devorah’s parents Yaakov and Ruth Harrison of Miami Beach, Florida on their grandson Zeffy’s upshirinesh.
Mazel tov Devorah ! May you have much hatzlacha in all the work that you do in the community! May you have much nachas from your Zeffy. Everything looks stunning.
We say hi from yeshivas lubavitch Toronto
Most hard working, best meaning person!!
Fab Shliach and community helper!!
Yossi glick …true shliach!!
Rocks
He should grow to be a chosid, yoray shomayim and lamdan,
much chassidish nachas from him and all the others KAH,
WWMM
Rabbi Avrohom Levi and Cirel Lipskier
Mazel Tov Fuli and Devorah! Keep up your wonderful work. Hatzlacha Rabba. Gershon Hyams
We are very proud of you Refoel. Carry on the great work.
Modcha Sufrin