Jews in Ukraine

After 4 years of war, Ukraine’s Jews adapt to a life of sirens, shortages and uncertainty

The Russian invasion, which marks its fourth anniversary on Tuesday, has reshaped everything in the lives of Ukrainian Jews.

People charge their devices, eat and warm themselves at a mobile resilience hub set up in a residential district amid electricity and heating interruptions on Jan. 20, 2026 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
 Ukrainian Jewish children holding packages they received JNRU for Purim.

Hamantaschen from Israel, graggers, and fuel: Purim aid drive spans Ukraine

Morale and spirit are difficult measured resources in times of war, but it is the job of Ukrainian military chaplain Lt. Rabbi Yakov Sinyakov to keep the faith among the Ukrainian soldiers fighting against the Russian invasion.

Faith in a time of war: Ukrainian Jewish chaplain aids soldiers during tribulations - interview

Dnipro, Ukraine in January 2026.

Learning Hebrew in bomb shelters: How Dnipro Jewry endures Russian invasion


Since Russia invaded, Ukraine's chief rabbi saved countless lives

The work Rabbi Azman and those alongside him are doing is making an immense impact on the lives of thousands of Jews and non-Jews alike. And until the war ends, they have no intention of giving up.

 Ukraine’s Chief Rabbi Moshe Reuven Azman in the synagogue at Babyn Yar (Babi Yar).

Jews stuck in Ukraine like ‘insects living in the darkness’

Whether in Odesa or Mykolaiv, many Jews have been left behind in Ukraine amid the ongoing Russian invasion, including the elderly and Holocaust survivors.

 Elena Kuklova

Ukraine war insights from Russian, Georgian students in Israel

In 2008, Western countries came to Georgia’s aid in the end, and they are now gathering for Ukraine. May Ukraine liberate itself soon and restore its autonomous freedom.

 Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak meet outside 10 Downing Street in London on February 8, 2023.

Lev Echad: Israeli NGO supporting Ukraine

Tomer Dror: “We are probably the Israeli organization with the biggest on-the-ground representation in Ukraine. We have been there since 2014, long before the war.”

 Lev Echad CEO Tomer Dror and Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi.

JFNA CEO: We’re going to stay involved with Ukraine as long as we’re needed

As the anniversary of Russias invasion of Ukraine approached, Ukrainian Jewish communities spoke of the year they've endured.

 Ukrainian servicemen sit atop a BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle on a road outside the frontline town of Bakhmut, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine February 11, 2023

Among Ukraine's Jews, a year of war has transformed the ordinary into the sacred

A box of nonperishables is manna from heaven for those faced with empty grocery shelves

A SYNAGOGUE in central Kiev. In recent years, Jews in Ukraine have suffered due to conflict in the east of the country and economic uncertainty.

'There was no time to sleep': 4 Jews reflect on a year of helping Ukrainians at war

The war has also mobilized the networks of Jewish aid and welfare groups across Europe, leading to a Jewish organizational response on a massive scale not seen in decades

 Foreign Minister Eli Cohen is seen at the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center in Ukraine on Ferbuary 16, 2023

Ukraine appoints official rabbi for Jewish inmates in its 171 prisons

As part of the new position, the rabbinate of the prisons under the direction of Ariel Markovich will be responsible for providing educational, spiritual and moral support to prisoners.

 Ukraine's new official rabbi of its prisons, rabbi Rabbi Jonathan Markovich

Solving the crisis in Hebrew studies

To help the thousands of immigrants waiting for an ulpan spot, Open University will partner with the Lauder Employment Center in the Negev.

PERFECTING HEBREW at an ulpan.

WHO report on Ukraine health emergency sparks US, Russia row

While Russia condemned the report, the US called for it to be updated to include more damage.

 People fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine board a Humanitarian Aid helicopter going to Prague, Czech Republic, at a border crossing in Vysne Nemecke, Slovakia, March 5, 2022.