Kharkov, known as Ukraine’s “Second City,” has long been a center of Jewish life. Rabbi Moshe Moskovitz and his wife Miriam have been the driving force behind the Jewish community for more than 30 years. Immediately after the invasion, many of the city’s 2 million residents fled, as rockets and missiles rained down; Rabbi and Mrs. Moskovitz led a convoy of buses and cars out of the city, becoming refugees along with millions of other Ukrainians.
Nearly two years later, thousands of people have returned to Kharkov, including the Moskovitz family and many other Jews; the streets are busy, cafes and stores are open. But it wasn’t always like that. When Rabbi Moskovitz first returned with some of his children, the streets were empty and many buildings were boarded up. The synagogue served as a temporary shelter for families who had no homes to which they could return. (Unfortunately, the nearby schools were damaged by missiles). But throughout, though divided by distance, the community remained unified and strong, as the Moskovitzs conducted classes and hosted events over zoom, and provided frequent status updates on social media. Humanitarian aid has been distributed continuously: food, medicine, household items and more.
Unfortunately, the resilience of the people of Kharkov continues to be challenged. In December 2023, three people were killed in air attacks, and in 2024, more than 30 people have died; nearly 200 others have been injured.
We pray for an end to the violence and we continue to provide support to those in need. With your help, we save lives and restore hope.
