At Babi Yar, European Council President Vows ‘Never Again’

Upon arriving in Kiev, for a multinational summit, President of the European Council Charles Michel hurried to the site of the Babi Yar massacre, where he lit a memorial candle together with local shluchim.

“Never Again” declared Charles Michel, President of the European Council upon arriving today in Kiev, Ukraine for the 23rd summit between the European Union and Ukraine.

Directly from the airport, President Michel’s first stop was at Babi Yar, the site of the massacre where 33,771 Jews were murdered on 29-30 September 1941 by Nazi soldiers and their collaborators during the Holocaust.

Rabbi Meir Stambler, Chairman of the Board of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine and Rabbi Raphael Rutman, Executive Vice-Chairman welcomed President Michel who lit a memorial candle by the Menorah, followed by a minute of silence in memory of the victims.

Mr. Michel joined the rabbis at the recently built Shul at the site, Rabbi Rutman recited a chapter of tehillim and the Kel Moleh Rachamim memorial prayer.

Upon receiving the traditional Menorah, a gift from the Federation, President Michel remarked “Through our silent respect, we commemorate all who perished and vow to never forget.”

“We must continue to spread the light of remembrance and hope to the future generations”

“We have won, they have lost,” said Rabbi Stambler to President Michel. Thank G-d with over 160 Jewish Communities and over 10,000 children enrolled in Jewish Schools throughout Ukraine, Jewish life is striving again”.

The visit was arranged by Rabbi Levi Matusof from Brussels, a liaison for the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine at the European Institutions.

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