With the hum of generators, Ukraine's Jews defy the brutal Russian blackouts
Ten months into Russia’s assault, Ukraine has regressed a century or more in terms of basic infrastructure. Since the beginning of October, wave after wave of Moscow’s cruise missiles and suicide drones have slammed into the country’s critical utilities plants, knocking out electricity, heat, water, and Internet connection across much of the country.
“We only have electric power from the grid for a few hours a day, and even that is unpredictable,” says Rabbi Motty Lebenhartz, a senior Chabad shaliach in Kyiv. “Without power, there are no phones, no hot water, and no light. After 5 p.m., the capital is dark, with no street lights and no traffic lights. To bake challah for Shabbos, you need to hope that there’s no interruption in power. And it’s well below freezing.”
Into that miserable murk came a beam of light in a bulky box — a generator. The diesel-fueled electric wonder was powerful, providing enough voltage for all the community’s needs, including a shul, school, and soup kitchen.
“We wanted to do a Chanukah concert to raise everyone’s spirits,” says Rabbi Lebenhartz, “but the musicians asked how we could guarantee electric power. With the help of the generators, we were able to have a beautiful event for 300 people, with no interruptions.”
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