A wave of Russian drone and missile attacks on the southern Ukrainian port city of Odessa caused heavy damage to civilian areas, including a direct hit on the Ohr Avner Chabad school, a central educational and community hub serving hundreds of Jewish children, among them refugees and orphans from the Mishpacha Ukraine orphanage.

Thanks to the quick action of staff members and caretakers, 124 orphans were rushed into shelters just seconds before the powerful blast shook the street, averting what could have been a devastating tragedy.

Despite the extensive destruction, shattered windows, and buildings rendered unusable, the Chabad community in Odessa has continued forward under the leadership of Odessa and Southern Ukraine Chief Rabbi Avraham Wolf and Rebbetzin Chaya Wolf. In recent days, the Chabad complex became the focus of a series of international solidarity visits from diplomats and senior officials, who came to encourage the community and see the damage firsthand.

One of the most moving moments came when Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine Michael Brodsky joined the children for their traditional end-of-year “Last Bell” celebration. Usually held in the school courtyard, this year’s event was moved to a protected area due to the security situation and the damage to the school.

Seeing the children dressed for the celebration, the ambassador praised the courage of the community and said that “the sight of these children, who only days ago ran in fear to the shelter and are now smiling and celebrating the end of the year, is the true victory of light over darkness.” He pledged that Israel would continue standing with Ukraine’s Jewish community and assisting with humanitarian needs.

The community also hosted Lord Henry Byron Davies, a senior British official who came to Ukraine on a special solidarity visit and insisted on visiting Odessa’s historic central Chabad shul. He met with Rabbi Avraham Wolf, heard a detailed report on the state of the community and the miraculous rescue of the orphans, and offered a brief prayer for peace in the region.

The British official expressed deep shock that schools and children’s welfare institutions had been struck and pledged to raise the plight of Odessa’s orphans in Parliament in London.

Soon afterward, an official delegation from the German government arrived at the site. German Ambassador Geiko Thoms toured the destroyed school building, saw the damaged classrooms, and met children who are now learning in crowded alternate spaces and hallways. Members of the German delegation said they intend to raise dedicated resources to assist immediately with the rebuilding project.

“It pains the heart to see the destruction, but it strengthens the heart to see the embrace from around the world,” Rebbetzin Chaya Wolf said after the week of visits. “The support of the Israeli ambassador, the British lord, and the representatives from Germany gives us, and all 124 of our children, the strength to continue, not to break, and to rebuild everything from the ground up.”