The Chief Rabbi of Ukraine has thanked Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis for the support for his country displayed by Britain’s Jewish community.
At a meeting held at the home of Rabbi Mirvis, Rabbi Moshe Azman said he was “working to save the lives of people that stand in a terrible situation.”
The Ukrainian Jewish leader travelled to Britain for several days, where he met with Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely and former prime minister Boris Johnson, and attended a Conservative Friends of Israel event.
The two chief rabbis discussed the current situation in Ukraine, and in particular the crisis created by Russian attacks on energy infrastructure during winter that have left millions of civilians lacking access to heat, electricity or safe water.
Addressing Rabbi Azman, Rabbi Mirvis that it was “Such a pleasure and an honour" to welcome him to his home, adding that he was "in awe of what you and your community are doing in Ukraine."
He also wished Rabbi Azman and the Ukrainian people well in their struggles against Russia saying: “We here in Britain reach out to you with love, with affection, with deep sorrow and concern and we support the Ukrainian people and their suffering during this very tragic war and I just want to bless you for all your outstanding efforts and may god be with you, the Jewish people but most importantly of all may god be with Ukraine.”
“May God be with Ukraine”
— Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis (@chiefrabbi) December 14, 2022
The Chief Rabbi welcomed Chief Rabbi Moshe Reuven Azman (@RabbiUkraine) into his home this week to express his solidarity with the people of #Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/hgC6OtXoVC
Chief Rabbi Azman replied: “I would like to, on behalf of the Ukrainian people, Ukrainian government and Ukrainian Jewish community would like to thank you, Chief Rabbi.
“I'd like to thank you, the Jewish community of London, of Great Britain, and the British government, British people, that they are best friends of Ukraine.
“What you did, I saw by my eyes that you collected, your community collected, warm clothing and electricity generators, what they all need now in Ukraine…
“I thank you very much and God bless you.”
In March, over 800 British Jewish families registered interest in hosting Ukrainian refugees through humanitarian aid charity World Jewish Relief.
The same month, around £2 million has been raised for Ukraine Jewish charities in 48 hours via a UK appeal.
Speaking to the JC during his visit, Rabbi Azman said the Russian invasion had shattered Jewish communities across Ukraine.
“At the beginning of the war we had normal life in Ukraine,” he said.
“We had beautiful communities. In the war, Russia destroyed the communities. People had to run away without anything to become refugees. Jewish people, non-Jewish people.”
