Jailed Couple Remains in Ukraine

Update:

It has now been over a year since this recently married couple was arrested in the Ukraine when drugs were planted in one of their suitcases. Despite the all-but admission of an ex-spouse and the arrest of several people in Israel for having set them up, the country of Ukraine, to this very day, refuses to let this couple go home or to be reunited with the women’s young children who desperately need their mother. Instead the state insists on taking every cent from them to stand trial despite the clear proof their innocence and the admissions of guilt of the perpetrators in Israel.

Below is the latest letter and heartfelt appeal of this couple (translated from the Hebrew original), a couple that is most in need of and deserving of our help.
Please take part in this most necessary Mitzvah of saving two Jewish lives and of reuniting them with their many small children who desperately need them.

Sincerely,
Rabbi Sholom Ber Korf

Their letter written mere days ago:

Precious donors and supporters the world over,

It has now been 13 months since the story of our arrest sent waves throughout the world. From the very beginning, you partnered with us, with your prayers and moreover, with your actions and help in saving us.

It is now over a year that we are in your hearts. You are probably wondering why we have not updated you as to our situation.

At this time we can tell you that at the request of our attorneys, of the askanim and even at the request of the Israeli police, who have extended tremendous efforts on our behalf, we were asked to not share details or reports of specific events of progress. In order to protect the progress being made by them in Israel and in the Ukraine, we even had to forego sorely needed fundraising appeals on our behalf.

A few days ago, those who planned the hiding of drugs in our luggage were arrested in Israel. The news of this development has already began to spread, to the point where we are comfortable in updating you as to this development, one that we hope will lead to the truth and our complete freedom.

Still, we are (still not only on trial, but) are facing a critical point in our case.
On the one hand, suspects have been arrested in Israel. On the other hand, we are still facing the terrible threat of years in prison! We need your help most desperately, now, in the most needed of ways, to pay for the continued critical legal costs that have become a burden around our necks.

In Israel, we have small children who are yearning for us for already over thirteen months, waiting for a hug from their father or mother! The oldest of these children became engaged two months ago, the youngest just turned 3 and had his “upshernish-chalaka” (traditional first haircut) and his mother could not be there.
We pray fervently that we will be able to take part in all future celebrations, that they be celebrated in the fullest measure of happiness.

For the last 8 months we have been able to stay in the city of Haditch, near the gravesite of the Alter Rebbem the Baal HaTanya. We have been given the great job of taking care of the meals for guests who come visit his tziyun (gravesite). We would be happy to meet each of you personally. You can also write to us your names and the names of your family, and we will mention them at the gravesite of the Alter Rebbe – Baal HaTanya, and at other holy sites in the Ukraine. (Please write to chanabr11@gmail.com).

We would also like to end off in thanks to all of the Shluchim and Shluchos of Chabad in the Ukraine who are literally holding us up and supporting us materially and spiritually. Special mention goes to Chabad in Dnepropetrovsk, Kiev, Zhitomir, Poltava, Vinitza, Sumi, Berdichev, Charkov, Odessa and others. And to you as well! To all shluchim and to all friends the world over, who have shown true caring with all their hearts and who lift us up from afar. Your financial support, your encouragement and your prayers give is the needed strength to pass this most long period with faith and with hope.

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