Federation of Jewish Communities - 10.23.2006

FJC.ru

Ukrainian Rabbis Meet Prime Minister Yanukovich

KIEV, Ukraine - Today Ukrainian Prime Minister Victor Yanukovich met with a delegation of Ukrainian rabbis led by the Chief Rabbi of the Ukraine Azriel Chaikin, and the Chairman of the Federation of Jewish communities of the Ukraine.

The agenda covered key issues in the revival of Jewish life, and the interaction of Jewish communities with state institutions, central authority and local administrations was discussed.

The Chief Rabbi of the Ukraine Azriel Chaikin, after introducing the Prime Minister to the delegates, described the revival of Jewish spiritual and communal life. The Ukrainian Chief Rabbi noted that the largest and leading Jewish organization of the Ukraine is the Federation of the Jewish Communities, which includes most of the Jewish communities of the country and which is responsible for the revival of Jewish life, its religious, cultural and social organization.

Rabbi Chaikin emphasized that the Jewish spiritual revival is inseparably connected with prosperity and success of an independent Ukraine, and that all citizens benefit from active participation in the public sphere. He also spoke of the remarkable revival of Jewish life that is credited to the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachm Schneerson of righteous memory who was born and raised in Nikoalyev and Dnepropetrovsk. Today over ninety percent of Rabbis working in Ukraine are students and followers of the Lubavitcher Rebbe and were influenced by him to move there and rebuild Jewish life.

The chairman of the Federation of Jewish Communities of the Ukraine Meir Stambler, delivered personal greetings and blessings to Prime Minister Victor Yanukovich from the President of the Federation of the Jewish Communities of the CIS, Lev Leviev. Mr. Leviev, unfortunately, could not personally be present at this encounter due to one of his trip to Moscow with the Prime Minister of Israel.

Prime Minister Yanukovich noted that he regards this meeting as critical. He insisted that such encounters must take place regularly, especially to encourage the spiritual growth of all communities.

Yanukovich expressed profound gratitude to the rabbis of the Ukraine for their noble activity in the spiritual revival in contemporary Ukrainian society.

At the conclusion of the encounter the Chief Rabbi of the Ukraine presented to the Prime Minister a beautiful sterling silver Chanukah menorah. Victor Yanukovich also presented to each of the guests a colorful album by photographer Andrey Mosiyenko, illustrating the colorful ethnic and religious culture of the modern Ukraine, expressing great faith, hope and love in all future endeavors.


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