After a long behind-the-scenes activity for several months, the Federation of Jewish Communities in Ukraine (FJCU) - the umbrella organization uniting the 180 communities all over the country, announced today (Wednesday) that it has begun distributing over 1,000 packages of fancy rations to Jewish soldiers serving in the army Ukraine and are stationed in Donetsk, Lugansk and Kharkiv regions - along more than 1,200 kilometers of the difficult front.
This is a complex project, both due to the prohibition of civilian access to the front and due to the complex procedure related to compiling the list of soldiers according to the various companies and regiments, but in the end the approval came from Kiev, and the ration shipments left for the field, as mentioned, in preparation for their distribution to the soldiers these days.
Distribution of food parcels to Jewish soldiers serving in the Ukrainian army/official website, FJCU
The person responsible for the distribution is Rabbi Yaakov Siniakov, who is funded by the federation for the ongoing activity throughout the year with Jewish soldiers recruited into the army, and for the purpose of distributing the parcels at the various points, he is assisted by eight volunteers who are divided into pairs and move around the sectors.
In addition to the distribution of the fancy kits that include a fancy scroll of Esther with a Ukrainian translation, ears of manna, chocolates, snacks and mini pastries and even locally produced vodka of a special 'line' for the holiday of Purim, the 'readings of the scroll' to the soldiers are to be held at several points on the front during the holiday itself.
Distribution of food parcels to Jewish soldiers serving in the Ukrainian army/official website, FJCU
At the same time, in addition to distributing kits to the soldiers, last week the federation finished distributing 40,000 parcels to the 180 Jewish communities all over the country.
In the main cities, the distribution of the consignments was carried out in cooperation with the local Chabad envoys who serve as the rabbis of the cities, and in smaller settlements the consignments were brought to the synagogues or community centers and distributed by volunteers to the Jews living there.
Also, the Chabad envoys, with the support of the federation, will carry out the order of the Lubavitch Rebbe to conduct 'Nisa Publications' in the largest way and will conduct scroll readings in close to 60 cities and towns in Ukraine.
"Many scroll readings will be held not only in the cities where the emissaries live, but also in nearby cities where there are large Jewish communities, all this to bring the mitzvot of the holiday and the joy of the holiday to as many Jews as possible."
Distribution of food parcels to Jewish soldiers serving in the Ukrainian army/official website, FJCU
The chairman of the federation, Rabbi Meir Stambler, said: "In recent months, the bombings of Ukrainian cities have increased, but despite this we are here for every Jew and Jewess throughout Ukraine - in an effort to bring them the word of the holiday and the joy of the holiday.
Together with the Israelites, everywhere, we pray that even before the holiday we will be able to celebrate the Purim miracle of our generation - with the true and complete redemption."
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