A Dix Hills synagogue has been in touch with a rabbi in Ukraine to learn more about the Russian invasion and the status of Jewish residents of the city.
Rabbi Yakov Saacks of The Chai Center said that the synagogue talked Thursday on Zoom with Yechiel Levitansky, an American-born rabbi, to learn more about what is happening and at that point, the city had not been invaded by the Russians.
“Yesterday he was confident,” Saacks said. When the Sumy rabbi was asked about his plans, he said he did not intend to leave. “How can I leave?” Saacks quoted him as saying. “I am providing 250 meals a day” to residents.
But on Friday, Sumy was under attack, with Reuters reporting that fierce fighting was underway.
Levitansky. who is the Sumy chief rabbi, was born in Los Angeles, studied there and in New York before moving to Ukraine in 2004.
Saacks said the synagogue had adopted Sumy as a sister city and had been trying to assist the community.
Donations to the Sumy, Ukraine community
The New York Times Time Machine reporting in 1943