In Presidential Bunker, Zelensky Lights Menorah Gifted by Milei

On the first night of Chanukah, Ukrainian shluchim gathered in the presidential bunker of Ukraine’s Jewish president, Volodymyr Zelensky, to light a menorah gifted to him by Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, on the day of his inauguration.

By Anash.org staff

This evening, the first night of Chanukah, a menorah lighting ceremony was held in the presidential bunker of Ukraine’s Jewish president, Volodymyr Zelensky. The event was attended by Shluchim and rabbis from across Ukraine. As in previous years, the event was organized by the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine (FJCU), which oversees Jewish life in the country’s 169 Jewish communities.

The ceremony took place against the backdrop of a severe escalation in attacks on Ukraine, marking one of the most intense assaults since the war began. Since the early hours of the morning, the Russian military has launched hundreds of missiles and drones targeting energy infrastructure in numerous cities. Due to the intensified rocket attacks in recent days, particularly on Kyiv, the Shluchim were instructed to keep the ceremony brief and limit the number of participants to ensure safety.

At the president’s request, the menorah used for the lighting was a distinguished one he received a year ago from Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, on the day of his inauguration, facilitated by Rabbi Tzvi Grunblatt, the head Shliach of Argentina.

The honor of lighting the menorah was given to Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki, Shliach and rov of Dnipro. Following the lighting, he expressed pride in the president’s steadfast leadership for Ukraine, affirming the rabbis’ unwavering support. “We hope the Chanukah candles symbolize our victory as well,” he stated.

President Zelensky, a proud Jew, addressed the rabbis after the lighting, saying, “Nearly three years have passed since the start of the war. Despite the terror we’ve witnessed, including today’s attacks on civilians, we are defying all predictions. We are few against many, weak against those considered one of the strongest armies in the world, pure against impure. We are winning, and we will prevail because there is no other option. I am proud of you, the rabbis of this country, for staying here with us despite the difficult war, even when you had the option to leave.”

Rabbi Meir Stambler, chairman of Ukraine’s Jewish communities and organizer of the event on behalf of the Federation, conveyed the Rebbe’s message for Chanukah. “Chanukah teaches us about the triumph of the few over the many and of light over darkness. Each of us has the responsibility to illuminate the darkness, especially in such dark times when both Israel and Ukraine are fighting for their independence. We are living in the final moments of exile and hope that the redemption of Chanukah will lead us to the true and ultimate redemption, when ‘nation shall not lift up sword against nation’…”

The evening concluded with a prayer for peace and the well-being of the country and its people.