First time: 1K Mishloach Manos delivered to Jewish soldiers at the front lines in Ukraine (PHOTOS)

(VINnews) —  This week,  the ‘Federation of Jewish Communities in Ukraine’ (FJCU) has begun distributing over 1,000 Mishloach Manos to Jewish soldiers serving in the Ukrainian army and stationed in the districts Donetsk, Lugansk and Kharkiv – along 1,200 kilometers where there is fighting non stop with the Russians.

This is a complicated project, undertaken by the umbrella organization uniting 180 communities all over the country, due to the ban on civilian to access to the front lines, as well as the difficulty locating all Jewish soldiers around 1200 kilometers.

Rabbi Yakov Siniakov is leading the project, funded by the federation for the ongoing activity throughout the year assisting and supporting Jewish soldiers.

He is assisted by eight volunteers who move around the region.

The packages include מגילת אסתר with Ukrainian translation, hamantashen chocolates, snacks and mini cookies and even locally produced vodka of a special ‘line’ for the holiday of Purim.

They are also facilitating the readings of the מגילה to soldiers, be held at several points at the front lines.

At the same time, in addition to distributing משלוח מנות to the soldiers, last week the federation finished distributing 40,000 parcels to the 180 Jewish communities all over the country. In the main cities, the distribution of the משלוח מנות, was carried out in cooperation with the local Chabad Shluchim who serve as the rabbis of the cities, and in smaller villages the משלוח מנות were brought to the synagogues or community centers and distributed by volunteers to the Jews living there.

Also, Chabad Shluchim, with the support of the federation, will read the מגילה in up to 60 cities and towns in Ukraine.

“Many מגילה readings will be held not only in the cities where the shluchim live, but also in nearby cities where there are large Jewish communities, all this to bring the mitzvot of the פורים, and the joy of פורים, to many Jews as possible”.

The chairman of the federation, Rabbi Meir Stambler, says: “In recent months, the bombings of Ukrainian cities have increased, but despite this, we are here for every Jew throughout Ukraine – in an effort to bring them the word of פורים and the joy of the פורים together with everyone wherever they are, we pray that even before פורים, we will be able to celebrate the Purim miracle of our generation – with freedom”.