Foreign Diplomats & Government Officials Spread Chanukah Light in Kiev

Ambassadors, Foreign diplomats, Ukrainian Government Ministers and Officials and local celebrities joined the local and foreign Jewish business community at the International 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 eighth night of Chanukah, began with opening remarks by Raphael Rutman, executive Vice Chairman of The Federation of Jewish Communities in Ukraine. He thanked all of the participants for making the effort to come to spread the universal theme of the Chanukah Lights, and spoke about the hope and religious freedom that Chanukah represents and the importance of spreading it’s message of tolerance and light.

The evening continued with Rabbi Meir Stambler, Chairman of The Federation of Jewish Communities in Ukraine, relating a message from the Lubavitcher Rebbe about the importance of Chanukah and its relevance to our generation. 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 foreign diplomats and government officials who spoke were Ambassadors from the USA, the UK, Germany, France, Switzerland, Greece, Poland, Canada and Israel as well as the acting Mayor of Kiev and Ukrainian Ministers. They all spoke about the importance of freedom of speech, religion and democracy that Chanukah represents, and reiterated their commitment to the world wide fight against anti-Semitism. The Ambassador from Greece expressed special thanks for the opportunity to participate in this unique event while recognizing the fact that he might even be a direct descendant from the Greek army that destroyed the Temple over Two Thousand years ago and now he was helping to light the Menorah, a true Chanukah miracle. The speakers thanked the organizers for the opportunity to join in the celebrations, and expressed greetings and blessings from their respective countries.

After viewing a selection of short videos about Chanukah and present-day miracles, the Menorah lighting ceremony began. Each participant in the audience at the event was given a candle to hold and light during the ceremony. The Ambassadors present were invited to the stage where they lit their respective candles and formed a human menorah. The Ambassadors and government officials were honored with helping to light the Shamash of the Menorah by uniting their candles together. A 94-year-old member of the Jewish community and veteran of the Second World War who managed to flee from the Nazi invaders on the last train before occupation, Mr. Pesach Shengait, was invited to ignite the fire to be used for the Shamash. Mr. Shaya Goychman, an 82-year-old member of the community who escaped the Nazi’s occupation when he was 4 years old and went on to be the first and only Jew serving on the first Soviet nuclear submarine, was honored with saying the blessings and lighting the menorah.

After the formal lighting was completed, the guests were 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 and prepared by Devorah Rutman.

In addition to the International Annual Menorah lighting, large menorahs were placed in the lobbies of all of the five star hotels in Kiev with daily lightings in each hotel, conducted by Raphael Rutman and attended by hotel guests and invited Kiev community members, including rabbis, government officials and businessmen.