The reason there is no longer a functioning synagogue in this city in eastern Ukraine is simple: There are few Jews left in Donetsk. Most have fled the country, or taken refuge (for the time being, at least) in Kyiv; only about 3,000 of the original 15,000 — all Russian-speaking — remain. And most of the 3,000 are elderly . . . though there are reportedly still a few children who attend the one remaining cheder — the children’s religious class — in some unspecified location. Their future is uncertain. [Paul Cainer, Thejc.com, November 10, 2022.]

The small Jewish community of Donetsk is isolated, unable to cross the war’s front lines to join their relatives or friends. There are occasional communications via Telegram or WhatsApp, though people must of course be extremely guarded in their conversations. [Id.]

Thus, along with the churches and the mosques, the synagogues are also falling victim to Vladimir Putin’s purge of all religions other than the accepted form of Russian Orthodoxy in Ukraine. This sort of maniacal crusade has happened before — in the 1930s and ‘40s under Hitler’s “final solution.”

The world wasn’t watching then, until it was too late; we’d better be more attentive this time.

“Those who forget history . . .”

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
12/17/24