By COLlive reporter
“More than fifty percent of the key figures in our community have left and have not returned,” says Rebbetzin Chani Axelrod, Chabad Shlucha in the city of Cherkasy in Ukraine, together with her husband, Rabbi Dov Axelrod.
Cherkasy offers a glimpse into a much broader phenomenon in many cities across Ukraine, where many key figures in managerial and executive roles in Jewish communities have left the country.
In many places, since the outbreak of the Russian-led war, rabbis have been left alone, with their families, and without the ability to continue operating the Jewish communities in the pre-war format.
“Since the beginning of the war, we have witnessed an increased awakening among Jews throughout Ukraine,” says Mrs. Axelrod. “Even people who did not recognize their Judaism suddenly started appearing in the synagogue, seeking spiritual support and material assistance – a fact that required the rabbis and emissaries to be more prepared to respond to the growing need.”
The departure of key figures in the Jewish communities due to the war has created a significant challenge in responding to the growing awakening. “The situation caused all the rabbis and Chabad Shluchim to struggle to find replacement people to fill the positions – but this is not an easy task,” adds Mrs. Axelrod. “The new situation also required innovative and efficient actions to meet the challenges.”
The Solution to the Crisis
Chabad’s Jewish Relief Network Ukraine (JRNU), in cooperation with the Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, has stepped in to help resolve the crisis by launching a seminar to train new leaders.
Community rabbis were asked to identify people with leadership potential within their communities, and they are integrating into the new seminar, which will enable them to assist in managing the communities.
“Community leadership is the one that bears the burden of day-to-day leadership,” said Avi Cohen-Scali, CEO of the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs. “The war in Ukraine has brought Jewish communities unprecedented challenges, and as such, a stable and strong leadership backbone is required.
“Chabad rabbis represent the forefront of leadership globally and particularly in Ukraine. It is a great privilege for the State of Israel to support this important project and train current and future leadership.”
“The State of Israel is helping and investing in the leaders who will lead the Jewish communities in the coming years. The training includes distance learning, personal meetings, and the development of the technological skills needed at this time.”
So far, more than 125 people have registered. “This is a must-have program for any thriving community,” updated Mrs. Chana Kaminetzky, who works with her husband, Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetzky, in leading the community of Dnipro, Ukraine.
“Throughout the difficult last two years in Ukraine, we have repeatedly seen the great dedication of the rabbis to the preservation of Jewish communities,” said said the Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Shikli.
“They understood that they are the most significant force in maintaining, preserving, and developing these important Jewish enclaves. The new program is designed to provide real and practical tools for continuing their important mission.”