Jewish community of Kyiv mourns miners (03/19/00)

Jewish community of Kyiv mourns miners

KYIV - In solidarity with the grieving Ukrainian state, the Jewish Community of Kyiv held a special memorial service on March 14, to mourn the victims of the Barakova mining tragedy.

The rededication ceremony of the Great Synagogue on Shota Rustaveli Street, originally scheduled for that day was postponed. President Leonid Kuchma declared March 13 and March 14 as nationwide days of mourning for the 81 miners tragically killed on March 11 in one of the worst mine disasters in decades.

"How can we celebrate when so many fellow Ukrainians are suffering today?" said Rabbi Moshe Reuvan Azman, chief rabbi at the synagogue.

"In our souls we mourn this great loss of life and we invite those who planned to attend our rededication to join us in prayer," added the rabbi. The synagogue, with the support of the U.S. organization Premier, will donate 800 hrv to each family who suffered the loss of a loved one in the accident.

In addition, Premier, the Catholic humanitarian and organization Caritas-Ukraine and the R'fa-Aye-Nu Society are organizing a shipment of medical supplies and equipment to be delivered to the eastern Luhansk region, where the Barakova coal mine is located.

Rabbi Azman and the Jewish community of Kyiv expected dozens of international dignitaries, religious leaders and patrons to arrive from all over the world for the rededication ceremonies.

Although many foreign invitees have postponed their travel, Rabbi Yaakov Pollak of Shomrai Emunah Synagogue in Brooklyn, N.Y., was scheduled to arrive bearing the Keter Torah (Torah crown) to honor the renovated synagogue and to participate in the memorial service. The rededication will take place on March 22.

The synagogue was returned to the Jewish community of Kyiv four years ago.

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