NEW YORK (VINnews) - Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday night spoke with Jewish leaders in the country, including prominent Rabbi Yakov Dov Blich, and asked them to pray for the country's welfare. Zelensky said he has also spoken with other religious leaders in the country, including local church heads and the country's muftis (Muslim leaders).
Zelensky, who does not hide his Jewish roots and maintains ties with the local Jewish community, told Rabbi Bleich: "Please request all Ukrainian Jews to pray for the welfare of Ukrainians."
President Zelensky called me today &requested that every Jew in Ukraine pray for safety of each person in @Ukraine and the end to the Russian invasion of our country The Russian invasion threatens every Jew in Ukraine הנה לא ינום ולא יישן שומר ישראל #StandWithUkraine @MFA_Ukraine pic.twitter.com/ot1vXLeeZj
— Chief Rabbi Bleich (@Ukrainerabbi) February 27, 2022
Rabbi Bleach shared on Twitter that the president told him "Ukrainian Jews to pray for the people of their country and an end to the Russian invasion."
Rabbi Bleich said before Shabbat that "the situation is very difficult. The Ukrainian government has issued rifles to anyone who wants to fight the enemy. I hope that at the most difficult time in post-World War II history." Everyone will pray and donate to strengthen the community."
On another occasion Rabbi Blech stated that "the Jewish community is an integral part of Ukraine and stands with the Ukrainian people, the government and the armed forces in defense of Ukraine. Since Ukraine's independence in 1991, the Ukrainian government has been working with the Jewish community." It has defended and befriended the Jewish community. I don't need to remind you that Ukraine's president and former prime minister are Jewish."