By COLlive reporter
Jewish institutions in Ukraine came under renewed attack overnight, as heavy Russian bombardments struck the port city of Odessa, causing extensive damage to a Chabad school complex and nearby buildings.
The “Or Avner” Jewish school, which for years has served hundreds of students—including orphans and displaced children from across the country—sustained a direct hit and has been rendered completely unusable.
Early Thursday morning, Shlucha Chaya Wolff, who oversees the Chabad school network in the city, made an immediate decision to merge classes, temporarily relocating high school students into the elementary school building.
“It’s difficult—the heart aches,” she said. “Teenagers are now sitting in classrooms built for younger children, in hallways and even shelters that were quickly adapted this morning. It’s not easy, but when there is room in the heart, there is room in the classroom.”
Despite the destruction, Rabbi Avraham Wolff, Chief Rabbi of southern Ukraine and longtime Chabad Shliach, emphasized that rebuilding is already part of the plan.
“We have rebuilt in the past,” he said. “We will rebuild again. The ‘Mishpacha Ukraine’ network—which includes orphanages, schools, elderly care centers, and refugee shelters—continues operating without interruption, through every barrage, blackout, and night of uncertainty.”
Severe explosions were also reported near the “Mishpacha Ukraine” orphanage on Bazarnaya Street, where 124 children reside. At the first sound of sirens, staff immediately sprang into action.
“The moment we heard the alarm, we woke the older children,” Rabbi Wolff recounted. “The caregivers, together with the older children, helped carry the younger ones to the shelter. We barely managed to close the door when a massive explosion hit—it shook the entire street. The speed of our response was critical. We realized a direct and deadly strike had landed right next to us.”
Rabbi and Mrs. Wolff credited the caregivers’ discipline and preparedness for preventing tragedy.
“Every caregiver knows her role. Every child knows where to run,” they said. “In the orphanage, we don’t wait for instructions—we act. We’ve done this hundreds of times. This is our reality. And last night, that discipline saved lives.”
By morning, staff were already working to support the children emotionally, gathering them to explain the events and provide reassurance. Repairs are underway—damaged windows and doors will be replaced, and destroyed furniture restored—but the immediate focus remains on the children’s wellbeing.
“The children come first,” Rabbi Wolff said. “Before anything else, we make sure they feel safe—that they know someone loves them, cares for them, and will not leave them. Only then do we begin to rebuild.”
