Traditionally during the days of Chanukah, the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine holds Menorah lighting ceremonies in Kiev’s most luxurious hotels. These ceremonies are held every day and, one evening, a big Chanukah reception is also organized.
This year, Menorahs were set up in the Hyatt, Intercontinental and Premier Palace hotels. This tradition began and continues thanks to British businessman Rafael Rutman, a Jewish community activist and a friend and partner of the Federation who works in Kiev.
The Chanukah reception took place on Sunday, December 5 at the Hyatt. The event also involved British Ambassador to Ukraine Lee Turner, Israeli Ambassador Zina Kalay-Kleitman, and U.S. Embassy Secretary Eric Schultz.
The ceremony was opened by Mr. Rutman, who reminded guests that this year’s Chanukah celebration was occurring in the wake of a tragic event in Israel – a fire in the northern part of the country that took over 40 lives.
The head of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine, Rabbi Meir Stambler, read greetings from FJC President CIS Lev Leviev and spoke about the productive activities of the FJC Ukraine, which continues to encourage the revival of Jewish life in cities across the country. Rabbi Stambler thanked the President of Ukraine and the country’s leadership for the work being carried out to bring the country towards a society of tolerance and for measures in fighting against xenophobia and anti-semitism.
The head of the Jewish Agency in Ukraine, Alex Katz, also thanked the FJC Ukraine and noted that the Jewish Agency’s cooperation with rabbis associated with Chabad Lubavitch and the Federation is proving to be very fruitful.