Ukrainian refugee family celebrate Passover in Colorado

LONE TREE, Colo. — This weekend, Jewish households are gathering to have fun Passover, a vacation to recollect when Israelites escaped slavery in Egypt.

One Rabbi and his household are additionally celebrating their very own escape this yr, after fleeing bombings and warfare in Ukraine.

“The neighborhood right here stood behind us and prayed for us on our journey out,” mentioned Rabbi Yisroel Silberstein, from Chabad Jewish Middle of South Metro Denver. “And we felt it was actually applicable to have fun the vacation of freedom right here along with the neighborhood.”

Lakewood lady carries on Ukrainian egg artwork to assist save her tradition

Silberstein, his spouse and their kids finally got here to Denver the place they’ve prolonged household. However their story begins in Ukraine, greater than a decade in the past.

“Twelve years in the past my spouse, myself and – on the time 2 of our youngsters – moved to Chernigov, Ukraine,” he mentioned. “We constructed an amazing Jewish neighborhood. A preschool, a Hebrew college, programming for younger and outdated, an lively synagogue… it was lovely.”

However like so many others in Ukraine, the Russian invasion modified all the pieces for this household.

“February twenty fourth we awoke, with the telephone ringing giving us the information Ukraine had been invaded. The place we stay has been bombed,” he mentioned. “We moved down into our basement, our makeshift bomb shelter,  with our household, 9 kids. And one other household, so 16 all collectively on this crowded house.”

Silberstein mentioned they tried to maintain everybody’s spirits excessive, singing and laughing, whereas the sound of explosions continued exterior. Ultimately, they needed to make the troublesome determination to go away.

Silberstein mentioned they traveled from their metropolis, Chernigov (also called Chernihiv), to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. He mentioned they continued to the border of Moldova, and finally to Romania. As soon as in Romania, he mentioned they arrange a refugee shelter to assist others fleeing the warfare.

“With our workforce again in Ukraine, we’ve gotten to security greater than 1,500 folks from the neighborhood out of Chernigov, which was beneath siege for 21 days. Some went to western Ukraine, some to Europe, Israel, throughout,” he mentioned. “It’s troublesome, however each time one other member of neighborhood makes it out – it’s one other ‘brick’ burden off our coronary heart.”

Even from Colorado, they proceed working to coordinate evacuations, meals and medical provides, and assist resettle refugees. They’re additionally fundraising to help these efforts.

Ski Ukraine shirts increase cash for aid efforts after Russian invasion

Silberstein deliberate to share his household’s story, and a Seder meal, with different households gathered to have fun Passover on the Chabad Jewish Middle of South Metro Denver. Together with the historical past and plenty of traditions of Passover, this yr the vacation additionally held a brand new which means for his household.

“As we have fun the miracle of exodus from Egypt, had been celebrating our private miracle of escape from Ukraine,” he mentioned. “If you happen to weren’t planning to make a Seder, have fun for individuals who can’t make a Seder again in Ukraine. Or invite somebody to your Seder, share some matzah share some wine. And to the higher neighborhood, I simply need to invite them to do a superb act, a kindness. Collectively the facility of constructive and good will overcome evil.”

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