Last week, the Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine, Michael Brodsky, planted the “Garden of Hope” in Kyiv. The event coincided with Tu BiShvat and International Holocaust Day, and included representatives from the embassies of the United States, Sweden, and Spain. The Honorary Consul of Israel in Ukraine, Oleg Vishnyakov, Ukrainian Members of Parliament (including Alexander Kunitsyn, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Ukraine-Israel Relations and Jonathan Ben-Dor, Chairman of KKL-JNF Ukraine), and representatives from the Ukrainian Armed Forces command also participated in the event.
The “Garden of Hope” is a joint project between Israel and Ukraine, to raise awareness about Israeli military and civilian captives held by Hamas. The event included a recitation of psalms in honor of the hostages and in memory of fallen soldiers. The initiative was led by Yonatan Markovich, the Chief Rabbi of Kyiv, and took place near the Beit Menachem Jewish Community Center and Synagogue.
Rabbi Yonatan Markovich explained, “Our hearts here in Kyiv are turned to the citizens of Israel, especially to the families of the abducted. The “Garden of Hope” symbolizes the profound connection between diaspora Jews and those in Israel, reflecting the shared aspiration for a life of freedom and growth in unity that triumphs over the forces of darkness.”
JRNU continues to support the people of Ukraine. With your help we save lives and restore hope.
