A Beautiful Holiday Season in Ashkelon and Zhytomyr

Alumim Children’s Center and Zhytomyr Jewish Community

The holiday season brought beautiful moments of celebration to our Jewish community in Zhytomyr, Ukraine, and to the Alumim children in Ashkelon, Israel. Thanks to our donors and partners, we were able to welcome community members for the holidays and give our children opportunities to enjoy their holiday break together.

In Zhytomyr, hundreds of community members attended holiday services and shared warm festive meals. Gathering around the table gave people time to reconnect and celebrate as part of their Jewish community. Amid the ongoing challenges of war, these opportunities to be together are especially precious.

During Sukkot, celebrations in the sukkah continued that spirit of warmth and hospitality. We also distributed food packages to help families prepare holiday meals at home. Alongside the communal celebrations, this practical support helped ease the burden of holiday expenses.

We also gathered for a solemn visit to the burial site where Jews of Zhytomyr were murdered eighty-five years ago, on the eve of Rosh Hashanah. Children and adults from our community stood together to remember the holy souls of those who perished and to pray: “Almighty, enough. May this never happen again.”

At this sacred place, we prayed that their holy souls would intercede for us before the Almighty and ask for a year without sirens or war for our children, a year of peace, safety, and Redemption. May we hear only good news.

Special thanks go to Mr. Alexander Goldis for his extensive work restoring the graves and improving the roads leading to this sacred site. 

In Israel, the children of Alumim enjoyed trips that brought adventure and learning into their holiday break. Alongside a jeep outing and an educational visit to Jerusalem, they went ice skating and enjoyed the arcades. These outings gave the children the chance to explore Israel, try new activities, and simply have fun together.

For our children, days like these are an important part of growing up. They are opportunities to spend time together, discover new places, and build happy memories. We want every child in our care to enjoy the warmth of a home and the simple pleasures of childhood, including a holiday filled with experiences they can remember fondly.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped make these holidays possible. Your generosity helped provide festive meals and food packages in Zhytomyr, as well as meaningful experiences for our children in Israel. Your partnership helps us continue caring for our community and children throughout the year.

As we begin the new Jewish year, we send our warmest wishes to you and your families for good health, peace, and a year of blessings. Thank you for standing with us and helping us continue this work.

Rabbi Shlomo WIlhelm