By Menachem Posner – Chabad.org
Even as central Kiev burst into chaos this week, with bloodshed between protesters and police continuing to escalate, Chabad-Lubavitch of Kiev has been maintaining its level of activity and has even grown its staff.
Just last Friday, newly married Rabbi Shmuli and Malky Zejger arrived from Israel to Kiev, where Rabbi Zejger will work with youth, and Mrs. Zejger will serve as principal in Chabad’s Or Avner Jewish Day School.
The rabbi is a native of Brazil. His wife is the daughter of Rabbi Jonathan and Elka Markovitch, who have been directing Chabad activities in Kiev since 2000. The Zejgers married earlier this month in Israel. Their wedding, which was supposed to be held in Kiev, was moved to Jerusalem out of concern for the safety of the guests.
Since his arrival in Kiev, Shmuel Zejger says he has seen many people come to Chabad looking for help.
Functioning as Usual in Unsteady Times
“The banks are closed, and there were talks of the airports shutting down, and people, especially foreigners, are nervous,” he said in a cellphone interview. “But once you are here for a while, you realize that things are not as scary as they seem. More than anything else, people need a calming voice and a comforting hug, to know that someone is there for them.”
Even though public schools have been closed since the violence ratcheted up in the past 24 hours, Zejger says that the Chabad school has remained open, and other Chabad activities continue to function as usual.
“After we got married in Israel, people have been asking us why we are moving to Kiev with all the unrest,” he concluded, “and we reply that in Israel and the U.S., we are not needed, and in Ukraine, we can make a positive difference in people’s lives, so we are here.”
You’re the best, love your BCMS 5773 family.
… in the work of wonderful people such as these. 🙂
Yasher koach un der Eibershter zoll helfen az ir vet geyn mechayil el choyil.
Hashem bless you, so brave, and so kind.
O Shmuly roubando a cena no col e ainda com o titulo de rabino…ta famoso em meu
wow malky! ur awesome!!!
Mazel tov malky!
May you have hatzlacha in all you do! You are such an incteadible person!
-seminary montreal
go malkyyyy bcms is proud to have you as a friend!!!! we can really learn alot from you and your husband!!!!
may you live a long and happy life together!!!!
miss you
bcbs girl
May you guy continue doing this amazing work, with lot of brachot, bringing nachas to veryone around inclunding the Rebbe and Hashem !
Go malky!! U r the most amazing person ever!!!!
B”H
So happy for you two. Hashem should bless you with the koach to continue positively affecting the people around you. Stay safe!
Bop
Malky is the best!! Love your montreal family. Gonna miss you Purim 🙂 hatzalcha rabba in your Shluchis!
isso eh q eh shlichut de verdade