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Last week we married off our daughter, our eldest, to a wonderful young man, in the hills of Jerusalem. The groom, like our daughter, chose to leave the place he was born and return to our ancestral homeland. He chose to bravely serve his land. Even though it is only days after the wedding, he continues to do so as I type these words. (The sacrifices our children are making for Israel is awe-inspiring.) In our families, both the bride and groom have two sets of baal teshuva grandparents - Jews who were raised more secularly and chose to adopt observant lives. That made the celebration uniquely special. While Jews are under attack with increasing frequency, gunned down, burned up, fired at by missiles, the mood of the wedding was exuberantly joyful. Here, we weren't only fulfilling the dreams of our ancestors from millennia past, who saw Jerusalem's destruction but only whose prophets spoke of its rebuilding, the bride and groom, the grandchildren of those baalei teshuva who forged their way back, continue to actualize the hard work and determination of living committed Jewish lives that have only recently been rebuilt. The links of tradition had been lost in our families, but with every new generation they are now fortifying. How can we fret about the Jewish future when we were witnessing its joyful growth? Last week's Torah portion was Numbers. It is called Numbers because of all the counting of the tribes of Israel. Twelve brothers, in a matter of generations, became a mighty nation. All four sets of grandparents in their humble ways also built back generations that continue to grow. In an age of increasing intermarriage, assimilation and loss of Jewish life, we were witnessing the next link of the Jewish future, building their lives in our land, dedicating their lives to our traditions, standing up for our people, and unapologetically serving our God with joy. May we continue to celebrate many more simchas, may our chasan and kallah merit to build a bayis Neeman (a faithful home) b'Yisrael and live to see a time where peace prevails over war. Mazel tov to our dear children! We love you so much and are so excited for your future together! 🎊 🥳

Ramadan Begins Today—Here’s What It’s All About Today (March 1st) marks the first day of Ramadan—a special month for Muslims around the world, including those in our community! If you’re not Muslim and curious about what this month entails, here’s a quick introduction: 1. Fasting from Dawn to Sunset Throughout Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food and drink during daylight hours. It’s a time to build self-discipline, practice gratitude for blessings, and remember those in need. 2. Evening Meals (Iftar) Once the sun sets, families and friends gather to break their fast with a meal called Iftar. It’s a beautiful moment of community and celebration each evening. 3. Renewed Focus on Kindness and Spiritual Growth Muslims aim to do more charity, spend extra time in prayer, and deepen their connection to God. Many also read the Quran more frequently and engage in late-night congregational prayers. 4. Learning from Ramadan—Even If You’re Not Fasting • Discipline & Empathy: Fasting heightens empathy for the hungry, encouraging acts of kindness and social good. • Mindful Living: Limiting food and drink fosters gratitude for everyday necessities. • Community Spirit: Sharing meals and goodwill brings people closer together, regardless of faith. Open Houses & Iftar Invitations for Non-Muslims Many Islamic centers warmly invite neighbors and friends of all faiths to experience this tradition firsthand. If you’re curious and want to attend a community Iftar or open house event, reach out for details—it’s a friendly way to learn, enjoy a delicious meal, and see the spirit of Ramadan in action. We’d love to answer your questions—just drop a comment or visit our website. Whether you’re new to the concept of Ramadan or simply intrigued, this is a wonderful time to explore and connect. Ramadan Mubarak to all who observe, and to everyone else: come join us, share a meal, and learn more about this special month! #Ramadan #ramadan2025 #Fasting #Community #OpenHouse #LiveIslam

Світло Хануки на Майдані: представники дипломатичного корпусу запалили п’яту свічку🕎✨ На Майдані Незалежності, у самому серці Києва, урочисто засяяла п’ята ханукальна свічка на найбільшій Ханукії в Україні. Цього вечора 12 представників дипломатичного корпусу, зокрема представники США, Великої Британії, Канади, Франції, Аргентини, Швеції та інших країн, разом із єврейською громадою України долучилися до святкування, щоб підкреслити силу єдності, віри та підтримки. Ханука — це символ світла, яке здатне подолати темряву, і надії, яка згуртовує людей у найскладніші часи. У своїх зверненнях учасники церемонії висловили вдячність Федерації єврейських громад України за невтомну роботу, спрямовану на підтримку людей по всій країні. Церемонію очолили голова Федерації єврейських громад України рабин Мейєр Стамблер та заступник голови ФЄГУ, директор з міжнародних зв’язків рабин Рафаель Рутман. Учасники церемонії: Елена Мікусінські, посол Аргентини; Джон Гінкель, тимчасово повірений у справах посольства США; Шарлотта Сюрен, тимчасово повірена у справах посольства Великобританії; Шон Бойд, тимчасово повірений у справах посольства Канади; Тім Пранге, тимчасово повірений у справах посольства Німеччини Себастьян Сюрен, тимчасово повірений у справах посольства Франції; Франческо Пеше, тимчасово повірений у справах посольства Італії; Токіта Юджі, заступник голови місії посольства Японії; Мартіна Квік, тимчасово повірена у справах посольства Швеції; Блаж Масле, тимчасово повірений у справах посольства Словенії; Юлія Хан, директор Департаменту молоді та спорту, КМДА. Світло Хануки нагадує нам, що єдність і добро мають силу змінювати світ на краще. ____________________________________ Hanukkah Lights on Maidan: Diplomats Join in Lighting the Fifth Candle🕎✨ On Kyiv’s Independence Square, the heart of Ukraine’s capital, the fifth candle of the country’s largest Hanukkiah was ceremoniously lit, marking a special moment of unity and celebration. This evening, 12 members of the diplomatic corps—representing nations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Argentina, Sweden, and others—came together with Ukraine's Jewish community to honor Hanukkah’s enduring message of hope and resilience. Hanukkah, a symbol of light overcoming darkness, serves as a beacon of hope that unites people even in the most challenging times. During the ceremony, participants expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine for its unwavering dedication to supporting Ukrainians across the country. The event was led by Rabbi Meir Stambler, Chairman of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine, and Rabbi Raphael Rutman, the Federation's Deputy Chairman and Director of International Relations. Among the distinguished participants were: • Elena Mikusinski, Ambassador of Argentina • John Ginkel, Chargé d’Affaires, US Embassy • Charlotte Surun, Chargé d’Affaires, UK Embassy • Sean Boyd, Chargé d’Affaires, Canadian Embassy • Tim Prange, Chargé d’Affaires, German Embassy • Sebastien Surun, Chargé d’Affaires, French Embassy • Francesco Pesce, Chargé d’Affaires, Italian Embassy • Tokita Yuji, Deputy Chief of Mission, Japanese Embassy • Martina Quick, Chargé d’Affaires, Swedish Embassy • Blaž Masle, Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of Slovenia • Yulia Khan, Director of the Department for Youth and Sport, KMDA The Hanukkah lights on Maidan stand as a powerful reminder that unity, kindness, and the strength of community can illuminate even the darkest moments, inspiring hope for a brighter future. #Hannukah5785 #FestivalOfLights #Ханука5785 #Hanukkah2024