Kyiv Celebrates Purim in Between Heavy Rocket Attacks

Sirens sound every day, explosions follow. A curfew still in place, but that didn’t stop Kyiv’s community members gathering to celebrate Purim at the annual Purim party hosted by Raphael and Devorah Rutman.

Local and foreign representatives from the Jewish community, as well as visiting Shluchim, joined together to celebrate and, most importantly, to fulfill all four mitzvos of the day. The guests came in traditional Ukrainian Vyshyvanka, the embroidered shirt that Ukraine is famous for, and the room and tables were decorated in the Ukrainian flag colors of light blue and yellow.

The banquet began with a special prayer for peace in both Ukraine and Israel, with an emotional prayer for the immediate release of the hostages. Included in the guest list were the Italian Ambassador to Ukraine and the deputy British Ambassador, both Jewish, as well as the Ex Minister of Culture to Ukraine, who has strong Jewish ties. They each spoke to the guests, emphasizing their support for the Jewish communities in Ukraine during these difficult times.

The event began in the early afternoon, with a megillah reading, using a unique, one of a kind illustrated Megillah by a famous American artist, generously on loan by one of the members of the Jewish community for the occasion. After ritual hand washing to fulfill the second mitzvah of the day, the festive meal, the guests were ready to fulfill the third mitzvah of the day.

Before beginning to eat, the guests were instructed to pick up their traditional Ukrainian appetizer, which had been specially designed with at least 2 separate brachot, and asked to “gift” their neighbor with their plate and receive their friend’s in return, thereby fulfilling the mitzvah of mishloach manot, gifts of food to a friend.

In keeping with tradition, the host went around the table greeting and introducing all the guests. After the introductions, everyone stood for another prayer service led by Rabbi Yossi Glick, head of Tzivos Hashem youth movement in Ukraine, for the safety and good health of all the Jews around the world and especially in Ukraine, during these challenging and difficult times.

For the fourth and final mitzvah of the day, matanot l’evyonim, Rabbi Yossi Glick and his wife Sora Doba Glick made an appeal to raise money for the Jewish Orphanages in Ukraine. Everyone opened their pockets to give what they could to their young Jewish brothers and sisters in need. In addition, a special Queen Esther doll, generously made and donated by a local Kyiv artist, was auctioned off, with the money also going to benefit the Orphanages.

The evening continued with delicious and traditional Ukrainian dishes, live music, singers, famous musicians, as well as a comedy show incorporating guests into their program.

The highlight was, of course, the annual Purim’s Got Talent Costume Competition, with each and every guest invited to walk down the red carpet while the judges, scored their costumes.

1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners were chosen and all winners received prizes.

With thanks to Hashem, the Jewish community in Kyiv still managed to celebrate Purim in style.