2022 Russian-Ukrainian War
by
Esther Herschman Rechtschafner

This war actually began in February 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea, causing unrest in eastern and southern regions of Ukraine. In February 2022 fighting erupted.

The conflict has caused a major refugee crisis and tens of thousands of deaths. Cherkasy, which is located in the central Ukraine, has been in danger from the beginning of this war. However, it is safer than many other areas. Because of its relative safety many refugees from more dangerous areas escaped to Cherkasy. These people needed various kinds of help, which included accommodation, food, jobs, basic supplies, as well as legal, educational, and psychological support. The entire community united to help (read Ukraine in Flames).

Here is a description, based on emails I have received from Cherkasy, of the war at its beginning.

12/22 email: The situation was difficult and the people were afraid for there were air-raids, bombs, sometimes no electricity, and destruction in the areas that were bombed. People were afraid to walk in the streets and to speak Russian. There was hate with anything to do with Russia. They heard that some people were saying that Jews were the cause of this war. The writer asked that we pray for them.

10/4/22 email: Many Jews left Cherkasy. Many came to Israel. There was an organized Passover for those who came to Israel, and likewise seders for those who remained in Cherkasy. Many participated. The Jewish community center gave matzoth to Jewish families. All this took place under hard physical conditions.

6/1/23 email: This past winter there was a happy Chanukah celebration with many participants. Many people, who previously did not feel that their Jewishness was important have now begun to wake up. They have begun to attend synagogue services and Jewish community activities. It seems that the myth of "mother Russia" is rapidly declining.

Schools are still operating online; but there is a plan to re-open them for at least a few days every week. There are still many air-raids. Drones are over the Dnieper River. Luckily, Cherkasy is not a target.

There are still many electric power shortages. At first there were three hours of electricity and three hours without. Now there is electricity for four hours and two hours without. Everyone tries to do what they need to do with electricity when there is electricity. The synagogue has a generator, and we hope to get economic help to pay for the fuel. Many Jews have emergency lamps and mobile phone rechargers.

The shortest way to travel to Cherkasy now from abroad is to get to Kishinev by plane, then to travel to the Ukrainian border, which takes about three hours, and then another five hours to Cherkasy (providing there are no problems along the way).

Notes: 1. Names of the people who sent emails to me have been omitted for security reasons.
2. Date format: dd/mm/yy.