On the sting: A glimpse into the honey factory in the heart of the attack zone in Ukraine
In a shell-shocked district in Kyiv, where logistics centers are absorbing heavy bombings, the production line of honey jars continues to work against all odds to provide sweet kits for tens of thousands of Jews in the shelled country. "We are operating under complex difficulties, but the sweet tradition of Rosh Hashanah will not be stopped."
Against the backdrop of intensifying shelling in Ukrainian cities, alertness is being recorded these days in Jewish communities across Ukraine ahead of the month of holidays. While the fighting in the country continues as usual, and the sounds of explosions have become part of the daily routine, community rabbis are working around the clock. They are organizing with massive logistical efforts to ensure the holidays are observed in the most dignified manner and to strengthen community cohesion despite the dangers of the situation on the ground.
The Chabad network in Ukraine (JRNU), which is behind the distribution of aid packages to all Jews in the country, made a strategic decision: to produce most of the basic food and holiday products specifically on Ukrainian soil, in special local factories that were prepared in advance.
The most prominent example of this is located in a central industrial area in the Kyiv region. The area is surrounded by logistics centers and huge warehouses that have suffered severe hits and daily bombings in recent weeks, but by a miracle, the factory chosen for the production of pure honey remained standing.
The production workers continue to work there under constant alertness, as the noise of the machines mixes with the sirens. In addition to the honey factory, which was certified by Rabbi Yehoshua Vishtsky from the 'UkrKashrut' kashrut system, special slaughter systems for meat and poultry with high-level kashrut were also prepared in the shadow of the war.
Already during the next week, the central stage of the operation will begin: a fleet of huge aid trucks will set out from the supply centers towards dozens of Jewish communities scattered throughout the country. Huge pallets of essential food products will be unloaded at the foot of the Jewish centers in the various cities, and from there they will be transported directly to the homes of community members through an internal, orderly, and dignified distribution system.
In the diverse food list, alongside poultry, fresh meat, and local honey jars, dairy products, special honey cakes brought by air from Israel, festive honey cookies produced in the challenged city of Zaporizhzhia, canned goods, and various spreads will also be distributed. To give the package added value, spectacular and accessible information brochures in the local language about the essence of the holiday months are attached, alongside a unique and rich calendar that combines Jewish content and photos from community life.
In the Jewish communities in Ukraine, they expect a record participation of Jews this year in synagogues and various holiday activities.
"We are preparing for an unprecedented number of worshipers who will arrive for the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur prayers," says Rabbi Simcha Livenerz, one of the Chabad emissaries in Kyiv, who coordinates the distribution system. "After such a long and exhausting period of war and uncertainty, people are looking more than ever for togetherness and tradition. We all look up and will pray together that the new year coming upon us will finally be a calm, peaceful, and sweet year."
