A public menorah erected in Chernihiv, a city in northern Ukraine, was vandalized on Monday morning, the final day of Chanukah.
Unknown perpetrators toppled the menorah and left behind a sign bearing explicit curses and insults directed at Jews.
According to community sources, the sign read, in crude and offensive language, “This is not our culture, go away… Jews.”
The menorah had been installed only after prolonged discussions with local authorities, who raised security concerns and other objections. Approval was ultimately granted, and public Chanukah candlelightings were held throughout the holiday, with security present and participation from members of the local Jewish community.
On the morning of the last day of Chanukah, the menorah was found knocked over, with an accompanying hate note containing vulgar expressions and slurs against Jews.
Rabbi Yisroel Silverstein, the local Shliach, has been in continuous contact with municipal authorities following the incident, together with Rabbi David Regboy, who led the public lightings during Chanukah.
Ukraine’s Community Security and Emergency Center (CWA) is also addressing the serious incident involving government officials.
This is not the first time in recent months that the city’s historic Jewish community has faced threats. Approximately six weeks ago, the community received phone messages from an anonymous individual demanding money. The messages included images of the sender holding a knife, waving banknotes, and wearing a kippah. In one message, the sender wrote, “G-d has all the money,” demanded that a specific sum be transferred to a phone number provided, and urged recipients to “recite Tehillim.” The messages were forwarded to police, but no substantive action was reportedly taken.
Local authorities in Chernihiv have not yet released information regarding suspects or motive. Members of the Jewish community, however, fear a troubling escalation.
At the same time, public Chanukah lightings were held daily across cities throughout Ukraine without unusual incidents. These events received special authorization due to the wartime situation and drew thousands of Jewish participants each evening.
UKRAINE HAS NEVER CHANGED FROM ITS NAZI JEW HATRED PAST, AND WITH ALL THEIR WEALTH, DID UKRAINE EVER PAY WAR REPARATIONS TO HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS FOR THEIR COLLABORATING WITH THE NAZIS TO CARRY OUT THEIR MASS EXTERMINATIONS OF JEWS OVER MASS GRAVES. NO THEY DIDNT.
I’m from Ukraine. A different city. But still, I have never ever been addressed antisemetically. In general if someone asks me if there’s antisemitism in Ukraine I usually say there’s a drop but not enough for me to feel it more than maybe once every two years. Usually on Chanukah and something to do with the public menorahs. Nothing crazy.
Secondly, since when was Ukraine rich with money to pay reparations? Since they found oil? And Russia started a never ending was so that they can’t frack it? Hmm. You’re obviously a professional.
There seems to be a surprise approach when there is am antisemitic incident against Jews or Jewish activivities. But in truth, we live still in galus, and goyim still hate yidden. So while we should resist and protest, the Halacha of Esav Soneh LeYaakov, still exists. The question is not why things as such occurs, its tje opposite, how are so many goyim touched and respectful of what we do? The point i am trying to make is that the Rebbe would never intiate a mivtza to endager or bring hatred from goyim, the opposite is true most if not… Read more »