In Odessa they set up a clinic for the elderly while medicine in Ukraine collapses • In Kiev they took advantage of the situation to connect technology, Israeliness and Judaism
Praying in Uman on Rosh Hashanah
Photography:
Reuters
World Jewry has been known for decades for its benefits in the field of community preservation.
In a world where human to human wolves succeed in the Jewish communities in maintaining mutual formation and assistance.
In the current virus, we have seen that in many places around the globe the percentage of Jews affected is much larger in relation to their total number in the population, and at the same time that communality has had a great impact on the strength of the individual.
A particularly good example of this is Ukraine, where the existence of the Jewish encounter has created a much more effective interface than any other local community in the country for dealing with the virus.
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The Jewish community of the Eastern European country is characterized, in general, by a high average age - especially in villages and "shtetls" - and faces severe subsistence problems.
"Against the background of 70 years of communism, people do not like to be organized anymore. In this sense, even those who define themselves as Jews - do not necessarily help the sense of community," emphasizes a senior community official as I try to mark buds of awakening in the consciousness of its members.
In Ukraine, it is possible to signal cautious optimism.
The flowering of what has been felt in recent years in various centers in the country, a product of community activities of the younger generation, reflecting on its Jewish identity and its significance and implications in relation to it and its life (many members of the community hide / repress this identity).
In addition, the attitude of most Ukrainian Jews is positive towards Israel, while the fact that they do not immigrate to it is usually due to economic reasons.
Although there is not necessarily a Jewish-community life on a daily basis throughout the country in the conventional sense, this does not mean that there is no community in Ukraine, but rather the opposite.
A clear expression of a clear sense of community was expressed in Odessa, the most Jewish city in the country.
During the first confrontation with the virus, the Jewish community in the city took serious precautions, with Chabad activities organizing community life being expressed to the fullest. , Kindergartens, orphanages and university students.
In the run-up to the second wave, Rabbi Avraham Wolf, rabbi of Chabad in Odessa and southern Ukraine, initiated the construction of a temporary hospital for the elderly, with the help of the mayor and his staff. Hospitalized under high sanitation conditions, 12 respirators were added to the existing 70, along with first aid assistance with donations valued at several tens of thousands of dollars.
"While the situation of hundreds of families has worsened, the community's commitment to effective and heartwarming cooperation has far exceeded my expectations. In Ukraine in general and in Odessa in particular is quite difficult.
Throughout the corona period, a ventilated sukkah stands outside the community building for prayer purposes, after checking for heat and mask (and even gloves due to contact with the paper) while the townspeople do not maintain distance or masks at all.
Technological Jewish front in Kiev
At the same time, Chabad is working to establish cooperation between Tel Aviv and Kiev as a technological incubator city, including from a Jewish angle. In recent years, an Israeli community of workers in a variety of professions has been formed in the country - from high-tech to lawyers, financial experts, real estate psychologists and more. Even in the Jewish aspect of their lives.
Avishai Ankry, 42, a technology entrepreneur who currently serves as vice president of technologies at Papaya Global, has been living in Kiev for the past two years, after a period on the Tel Aviv-Kiev line.
"I decided to settle in the place, especially in light of the strong community connection that is formed and formed in real time. The vast majority of society is completely secular and on normal days come on Friday to do kiddush, get to know and contain. Naturally, the social-community context in our identity axis, the Israeli-Jewish "The safety net here created my Israeli and Jewish home, a feeling that intensified during the Corona."
Ankry, his local partner and is undergoing conversion these days, is slightly excited and continues.
"I recently had a heart attack and my first conversation was with Chabad.
In good time everything is back to normal.
We do not feel far from home in Israel.
The community provides a safety net and social connection.
We have several groups that coordinate this activity. "
Another issue raised by Ankry is the respectful point of view of the locals towards Israelis and Jews.
"Locals are very attentive to the gatherings of the Jewish community. In addition, the fact that the Jewish president, as well as a number of MPs and businessmen allows for dialogue with them, with the help of Alexander Konitzky, chairman of the Friends of Israel-Ukraine Parliamentary Association in the Ukrainian Parliament.
This would not have been possible in this way for the Israeli community, but a few years ago. "
An interesting example given by Ankry is that employees of the WIX company, from among the local (non-Jewish) community, hold weekly Hebrew lessons in an attempt to connect with the community and of course this awakening is positive and satisfies everyone.
"At the professional level, we have managed to ensure that our companies, which make up the community, are not severely affected - and are currently conducting a Tel Aviv cooperation program with Kiev as a technology incubator city" (Acceleration / Accelerator Program for Startups, assisted by Chabad by Rabbi Yonatan Markowitz, the Rebbe's emissary to Kiev and his son Ariel).
"Obviously this is a process, but the direction is clear: many Jews were previously registered as such and some no longer felt it. Now, their identification has grown because of their activities and they are more interested in connecting and participating in our Jewish identity and identity."