A recently completed project in Kyiv is a testament to the perseverance, dedication, and resilience of a community and its leaders.
Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, has been home to a significant Jewish population for hundreds of years. But the “Left Bank” of the city, across the Dnipro River from the historic city center, was not developed until the latter half of the 20th century, during the Communist era.
In 1998, Rabbi Mordechai Levenharts and his wife Devorah arrived on the Left Bank of Kyiv and immediately began building the Jewish community, including a host of facilities: a school, preschool, day-care center, synagogue and more. Four years ago they made plans to add a Mikvah for the thousands of families they serve.
Unfortunately, their plans changed abruptly when the crisis began in February 2022. The Levenharts and thousands of others had no choice but to leave their home of 25 years, not knowing if they would ever be able to return.
A few months later they did return, inspired by the need to complete what they had begun, including construction of the Mikvah. While not everyone returned to Kyiv, the Jewish community was blessed with many newcomers from cities such as Kharkiv and Donetsk, in the eastern part of Ukraine.
Resuming construction was not easy, as many laborers were serving in the military or were no longer available. And yet, two years later, with more than 150 women in attendance, Mrs. Levenharts proudly hosted an inauguration celebration of the first Mikvah on the left bank of Kyiv: “Thank you to our dear community and supporters who stuck with us through thick and thin,” she commented, “for the first time in history, the Left Bank has a mikvah of our own.”
The Jewish community of Kyiv has endured a great deal throughout history, and the past two years have brought many challenges. But they continue to take care of another and pray for better days to come. We continue to help them and thousands of others throughout the country, with humanitarian aid of all kinds. With your support we continue to save lives and restore hope.
Based on a story by Devorah Levenharts at Chabad.org
