Despite an ongoing state of emergency and the pressures of war, Kyiv’s Jewish community held a series of Pesach sedarim across the city, reaching Jewish residents, soldiers, and prisoners in what community leaders described as an effort to ensure no Jew marked the Yom Tov alone.

The events were organized by Chief Rabbi of Kyiv Rabbi Yonatan Markovitch and his son Rabbi Ariel Markovitch, under the auspices of Chabad of Kyiv.

Central Seders were held at the Jewish Community Center Beit Menachem and at the Or Avner Perlina school, drawing hundreds of participants.

A separate Seder was held for Jewish detainees at the Lukyanivka detention facility in Kyiv. In addition, matzah and Pesach kits were distributed to Jewish prisoners in correctional facilities throughout Ukraine. Hundreds of food packages and matzah were also delivered to Jewish residents across the city, with assistance from the JRNU organization.

President Volodymyr Zelensky, himself Jewish, received matzah from Rabbi Markovitch ahead of Pesach and conveyed a personal greeting to the community through him.

Senior officials from the Office of the President attended the JCC Beit Menachem events, including Chief of Staff Kyrylo Budanov and his deputy Iryna Mudra, who is herself a member of Kyiv’s Jewish community.

Jewish soldiers on active duty were granted short leave to attend the Seder — joining the community for the first time since the war began.

“This year, more than ever, we understood how important it is to reach every Jew, no matter where they are,” Rabbi Markovitch said. “Pesach is a holiday of freedom, but also of unity and responsibility for every Jew. Seeing the community come together — people arriving, singing together, and strengthening one another — gives us the strength to continue, despite the difficult circumstances.”

Ukraine’s Jewish community, historically one of the largest in Europe, has faced significant disruption since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, with many Ukrainian Jews having fled the country. Those who remain have continued to maintain communal life under wartime conditions.

Photo Credits: JCC Kiev

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)