This is the third Lag BaOmer that Ukrainian Jews are celebrating in the shadow of the ongoing war - and this year too they faced quite a few challenges.
In some cities, they were forced to forgo the parades in the city streets and settle for gatherings only, but in most cities, parades were held outdoors, in huge demonstrations of the sanctification of God, led by the city's rabbis and Chabad emissaries.
In the Chabad of Ukraine network, JRNU, preparations were made in advance with the production of a series of festive items that accompanied all the processions throughout the country.
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A particularly colorful procession was held in the city of Nikolaev, which is also the birthplace of the Lubavitcher Rebbe - who initiated the processions decades ago. "The procession took place with great pomp and splendor," said the city's rabbi, Rabbi Shalom Gottlieb. "Later, we gathered together, all the members of the community, for a festive party in the courtyard of the synagogue, with the lighting of a bonfire, songs and dancing, and the acquittal of many Jews by putting on tefillin.".
In the city of Zhaprozh, the procession was forced to be abandoned due to the sensitive security situation and the incessant bombings. "Unfortunately, on Lag BaOmer, the bombings were powerful," said the city's rabbi, Rabbi Nahum Arantroy, "They hit, among other things, the new airport in our city. There was a real danger of holding a procession and activities.".
In the city of Czernowitz, a special procession was held and a lighting ceremony was held in the courtyard of the ancient cloister of Rabbi Yisrael of Rozhin, with the participation of hundreds of community members.
""Towards the end of the event," said the city's rabbi, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Glitsenstein, "a Jew from the Sadigura neighborhood entered and asked to put on tefillin.".
In Vinnytsia, a city in Ukraine, a huge procession was held on a central street in the city. "The community dressed up for the holiday," said the city's rabbi, Rabbi Shaul Horwitz, "There was a very festive atmosphere. We marched in a festive procession, recited Torah verses and conveyed moral messages in the manner of the Rashbi.".
In the city of Kremenchug, hundreds of the city's Jews, including men, women, and children, gathered for a special procession led by the city's rabbi, Rabbi Shlomo Salomon, with the children carrying signs containing Jewish banners and slogans.
In Zhytomyr, Lag BaOmer was celebrated starting on Shabbat evening, when hundreds of Jews from all over western Ukraine gathered for a special Shabbat, packed with activities, led by Chabad emissary Rabbi Nachum Tamarin and led by the Rabbi of Zhytomyr, Rabbi Shlomo Wilhelm.
In Kiev, the capital, one of the largest processions was held: despite the war, hundreds of Jewish community members marched through the streets of the city, to the sound of Jewish music. Children carried colorful balloons and festive signs, and sang in honor of Rashbi.
Afterwards, they participated in a huge gathering led by Chabad emissary Rabbi Mordechai Lebenaretz and attended by all the rabbis of Kiev.
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