A Getaway for Ukraine Shluchim

By COLlive reporter

For the Jews of Ukraine, this past year has been one of extreme turmoil. This challenging year has seen revolutions, war, and economic collapse. Through all the unrest and tension, Jews throughout Ukraine have reached to the shluchim for support, and the shluchim continue to provide for their needs – both practical and spiritual – with devotion.

This past Shabbos provided a much needed chance for the shluchim of Ukraine to recharge their batteries.

Close to 20 shluchim families came from all over the country, driving from as far as 20 hours to Dnepropetrovsk, the Jewish community that graciously hosted them.

They were set up in the beautiful Menorah Center, the largest Jewish community center in the world, and were provided 5 star accommodations and delicious catered meals.

It was made possible thanks to the help of Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, Vice Chairman of Merkos L’lnyonei Chinuch, and to the Shliach Rabbi Ben Tzion Lipsker of the Meromim Foundation.

Each minute of the 4 day program was filled with action. The children loved being together with other young peers and enjoyed the special activities arranged just for them.

“It was precious to see the faces of the young shluchim, enjoying kosher ice cream as a rare treat,” one attendee noted.

Special thanks was given to Dnepropetrovsk Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky for his time and resources to enable this to be the most comfortable experience all around, and to Shluchim Rabbi Moshe Weber and Rabbi Yisroel Silberstein of Chernigov for coordinating the event.

The Shluchim held farbrengens and workshops, and so did the shluchos. The families especially enjoyed the trips together including a boat ride, an action-packed park with rides and rope course, and a fascinating and tasty visit to a chocolate factory.

The shluchim returned to their prospective communities rejuvenated and inspired, convinced that their achdus will help to bring blessing and peace to their country.