"We have been without electricity and water for 17 days, non-stop shelling": the suffering of the Jews of Kherson Israel today

Jewish life in Harson in the days after the dramatic withdrawal of the Russian forces, becomes unbearably difficult.

The city's Jews, estimated to number close to a thousand, try to survive with great difficulty.

"The situation is very difficult," says the city's rabbi and Chabad emissary Rabbi Yosef Wolf, "for seventeen days the city has been without electricity, without water and without heating.

At night the temperatures already drop below 0 degrees and this is a very, very complicated situation."

A building damaged by shelling in Harson, photo: Gettyimages

Even this week, after the withdrawal in question, Harson is still being bombed and the residents of the city are in great anxiety.

"The city has been bombed non-stop for five days now," says Rabbi Wolf, "the combination of severe shelling with severe weather - makes it very difficult for the residents, including members of our community."

In recent days, Rabbi Wolf received a large shipment of food and medicine, which help the Jews of the city to survive.

"We received a critical shipment from JRNU of Chabad Ukraine and there is no doubt that it literally saves lives and boosts morale for us and the Jews of the city.

Really warms our hearts in this cold."

Flags of Ukraine and the European Union in the main square in Kherson, photo: social networks

The atmosphere among the Jews of Kherson is not easy.

"Everyone is coping, the situation is very difficult, to say the least. We walk around the street for essential needs, but there is great danger and daily difficulty. In recent days we have been working on supplying water and gas and trying to create temporary alternatives. Many residents are huddled during the day with blankets and warm clothing."

A large generator was recently installed in the synagogue.

"The city's Jews especially come to the synagogue to warm up," Rabbi Wolf adds to the book, "the generator works several hours a day and allows people to warm up. The synagogue is warmer and more pleasant."

Since the war broke out almost a year ago, life in Kherson has had ups and downs.

"The situation now has gotten very worse mainly because of the repeated bombings," explains Rabbi Wolf, "which makes the place very dangerous, especially since there is no electricity, water and heating. The Jews of Kherson try to maintain optimism and pray for the end of the difficult war."

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