Jewish Man Killed From Russian Rockets in Kharkiv

Kharkov was hit with a barrage of over 20 rockets on Friday morning December 29th.

More attacks continued after Shabbat as the Grand Kharkiv palace hotel was hit by an Iskander missile leaving many injured.

Artem Reznik, a Jewish 30 year old man, was killed in the rocket attack on Friday morning, an only child of Marina who is active in the Jewish community.

Marina comes every week to a Torah class and makes sure to come every month to help pack food packages for needy people.

Shliach Rabbi Moshe Moskovitz has arranged the funeral which will begin at the synagogue on Pushkinskaya 12 together with the community members.

On the other hand, even in times of tragedy and war this Thursday three brissim will be happening in Kharkov, for a 15 yr old and two elderly men in their 70’s.

Ongoing attacks

Kharkiv wasn’t the only city in Ukraine targeted by Russian attacks over the weekend. Locals reported heavy shelling of 122 missiles and 36 suicide drones.

“There were explosions in our city,” recounted Rabbi Nochum Ehrentreu, Shliach and Rabbi of Zaporizhzhia, thankfully noting, “our community is okay. It was a highly significant attack. Missiles hit our factory, causing casualties and injuries. There was also an attempt to damage the electrical infrastructure.”

Rabbi Ehrentreu mentioned, “Many missiles flew through our city towards wider Ukraine. We heard rocket explosions for hours. Of course, we hurried to shelters, hoping the anger would pass.”

Rabbi Avraham Wolff, the city rabbi of Odessa in southern Ukraine and Chabad Shliach, woke up to a challenging day with over a hundred children from the ‘Family’ children’s home. “What we’re going through here is simply madness,” he said. “We’re grateful to God that we are healthy, whole, and smiling.”

Rabbi Mordechai Levenharz, Shliach in Kyiv, stated, “There was a strong missile attack. Prayer services proceeded as usual. The Jews here have learned to maintain regular life during the ongoing emergency. During the previous attack, several Jewish homes were hit by missiles, and our large Jewish network, JRNU, immediately mobilized to help and fund their repairs – a crucial necessity during the freezing winter days here.”

Rabbi Levenharz mentioned that they continue to lead Jewish life without canceling plans. “Next week, we have four circumcisions – an 11-year-old child, two young men, and a forty-year-old,” he reported.

Over the weekend, the Rebbe’s Shluchim in Ukraine will hold special gatherings to commemorate the 24th of Teves, the anniversary of the passing of the Alter Rebbe.