Holiday on the frontlines: 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers given Purim gifts

• Published date: 24 March 2024
• Author: MICHAEL STARR
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

The mishloah manot (traditional gift baskets, typically full of sweets, that Jews give one another so that all can participate in a Purim holiday feast) were delivered to outposts spanning across 1,200 kilometers along the frontlines in Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kharkiv

"In recent months, the bombings of Ukrainian cities have increased, but despite this, we are here for every Jew throughout Ukraine – in an effort to bring them the word... and the joy of Purim together with everyone, wherever they are. We pray that even before Purim, we will be able to celebrate the Purim miracle of our generation – with freedom," FJCU rabbi Meir Stambler said.

FJCU said that the project to find hundreds of soldiers along the front was difficult enough, but was complicated by restrictions on civilian access to these combat zones.

What treats will the soldiers be enjoying?

The gift baskets included hamentashen, chocolates, snacks, cookies, locally produced vodka, and the Book of Esther in Ukrainian.

Rabbi Yakov Siniakov, who works with the FJCU and with Jewish soldiers, banded together with eight...