Jews in Ukraine lit a giant menorah on Sunday night to start the eight-day Hanukkah holiday as tens of thousands remained without electricity and Russia's nearly 10-month war produced new victims.
Jewish leaders and supporters gather in Kyiv to celebrate the Jewish Festival of LightsHanukkah commemorated in Kyiv amid ongoing warUkraine's Jewish community marked the first night of Hanukkah, a holiday that has taken on additional significance amid ongoing resistance to Russia's invasion of the country.
Rabbi Mayer Stambler, a leader of Ukraine's Jewish community, drew parallels to the story of Hanukkah, an eight-day commemoration of the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem by the Maccabees after their victory over the Seleucid Greeks more than 2,000 years ago. When only enough oil was available to keep the temple candles lit for one day and night, the oil inexplicably burned for eight days and eight nights — a feat now celebrated as the Jewish Festival of Lights.
Among those watching was 47-year-old Viktoria Herman, who said the festival of lights brought her hope during the December days with the least sunlight of the year. Volunteers distributed thousands of menorahs, candles, printed materials, family puzzle games and sweets for the holiday to members of Ukraine's Jewish minority population.
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