Diplomats in Kiev Party in Style

Kiev City officials, Ambassadors and foreign diplomats from eight countries including the EU, US, UK, Israel, Germany, France and Switzerland joined the local Jewish Ukrainian business community and Ukrainian officials at the annual Chanukah party and Menorah lighting hosted by Raphael and Devorah Rutman at the exclusive five star Fairmont Grand Hotel in the center of Kiev.

The evening, which fell on the eighth night of Chanukah, began with opening remarks by the host, Raphael Rutman. He thanked all of the participants for making the effort to come to spread the universal message of the Chanukah Lights.

The program started with a special memorial service marking exactly one month from the terror attacks in Paris and Israel as well as the most recent attack in San Bernardino, Ca., with representatives from these three countries lighting special memorial candles. A moment of silence was then held to honor the memory of all those innocent victims, as well as those that have died in the war in Ukraine over the past two years.

The evening continued with Rabbi Meir Stambler, president of The Federation of Jewish Communities in Ukraine, talking about the importance of hope and religious freedom that Chanukah represents and the importance of tolerance and light in times like these, with war still raging in the east of the country. He also described the extensive activities of the organization throughout the year in Ukraine and thanked the Ukrainian authorities for the tolerance they show towards the Jews in the country.

Among the foreign diplomats and city officials who spoke were Mr. Eli Belotserkovsky, the Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine; Mr. Geoffrey Pyatt, the US Ambassador to Ukraine; Mr. Guillaume Scheurer, the Swiss Ambassador to Ukraine; Mr. Wolfgang Bindseil, the acting German Ambassador to Ukraine; Ms. Julie Fort, the acting French Ambassador to Ukraine; the acting Mayor of Kiev, Mr. Michael Radutsky as well as Mr. Savik Shuster, Ukraine’s most well-known and respected TV personality. They spoke about the importance of freedom of speech and democracy that Chanukah stands for, as well as thanked the organizers for the opportunity to join in the celebrations and expressed greetings and blessings from their respective countries.

After viewing a selection of short videos about Chanukah and present day miracles, the Menorah lighting began. Each guest was given a candle to light and hold during the ceremony, while the Ambassadors and government officials were honored with helping to light the Shamash of the Menorah by uniting their candles together. The large Menorah itself was then lit by Mr. Savik Shuster.

After the formal lighting was completed, the guests were invited to join in a traditional Chanukah buffet including latkes, handmade doughnuts and many other delicacies. The guests lingered, savoring the warm Chanukah atmosphere and the delicious food organized by Devorah Rutman.

In addition to the annual Menorah lighting, large menorahs were placed in the lobbies of all of the five star hotels in Kiev. Every night of Chanukah there were lightings in each hotel, conducted by Raphael Rutman and attended by hotel guests and invited Kiev community members, including rabbis, government officials and businessmen.