As a result of the ongoing battles in East Ukraine between the Ukrainian army and the Russian separatists and due to the worsening in the security situation of the local Jewish communities, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, President of IFJC, had arrived for a quick visit yesterday morning (Wed.) to the city of Zhytomyr in the western part of the country, where the IFCJ had founded a refugee camp for Jews from eastern Ukraine.
The enduring fight in the region affected the Jewish communities in East Ukraine in the last months, incurring a critical security and economic crisis; Only last month eight Jews were killed as a result of rockets hit in Luhansk, and last week the house of the local Chabad shliach, Rabbi Shalom Goffin, was damaged as well.
During his visit, Rabbi Eckstein met at the Zhytomyr refugee camp with the Jews of Luhansk and Donetsk, their community leaders and the representatives of other Jewish organizations that are active at place for the purpose of evaluating the situation and calculating the steps to come. As of today, every ten days 200 Jews join the Zhytomyr refugee camp. At the camp, respite activities take place and its residents receive financial aid.
Rabbi Eckstein says that “despite the difficult situation in Israel, we must not forget the Jews of East Ukraine. They don’t have ‘Iron Dome’ or IDF. We will do everything possible so they will not be left behind”.
Photos: Rabbi Eckstein visit in the refugee camp established by IFCJ in Zhytomyr for Jews from East Ukraine on 10 Menachem Av. Photographer: Olivier Pitoussi.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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2 Responses
who does YWN post anything with Yechiel Eckstein. He is a missionary. The next time you have access to a tv you will be caught off guard when suddenly he is there promoting his organization and throwing lines hinting of Christianity
This is not true. He was never involved in missionary activities. Further more he was attacked by missionaries for opposing their activities. He has an ordination from Rabbi J.B. Soloveitchik.
He is a good man that is being attacked by people that envy in his tremendous success.