Kiev in upheaval; prayer was held in main square

Prayer rally held at noon today at the Independence Square in Kiev,

Rabbi Jonathan Markowitz, chief Chabad emissary to the Ukraine, the only remaining Rabbi with his family in the city, says to Behadrey Haredim: "An hour before the event I received a phone call from someone responsible for what is happening in the Independence Square, inviting me to arrive at the main stage to say a prayer for the State.

"I came to the square, tens of thousands of people stood huddled in place despite the cold. On the stage of honor they were waiting for the chief priest and Muslim Mufti. I went onstage and read a Psalm, I explained to tens of thousands of people that I read the prayer of David King of Israel when he prayed for the help of G-d against the enemy.

"I told them I read the prayer in the Jewish language - the original language in which the prayer was said, and I ask them to pray together with me. At the end of reading the psalms everyone broke into cries of "Melditz'" (Well done – Y.B.) The entire event was broadcasted live throughout the media, it was a big Kiddush Hashem".

This morning the the legislature decided to appoint the Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament, Alexander Tortzinov, as the Interim President of Ukraine until the elections to be held in late May. Meanwhile, MPs voted for the dismissal of Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara.

Magnificent palace of the President was broken into

Meanwhile, it was reported that the masses are still crowding today (Sunday) the Maidan Square and require to prosecute the resigned president Viktor Yanukovych.

The anger of the masses against Yanukovych began after protesters broke into the palace situated on the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital, Kiev.

Invaders of the compound, which is no longer protected by security guards, found a private zoo, a garage with luxury cars and in the near by marina they even saw the private presidential ship. The lavish lifestyle of Yanukovych triggers, as stated, the anger of the masses and is fueling the demand to bring him to trial rather than settling his removal from power.

Rabbi Hillel Cohen, director of the Kiev Hatzala, who visited the square on Shabbos afternoon, says it is still advisable to remain in their homes: "I had to go through the square on Shabbos afternoon since I had to go and visit an Israeli patient who was hospitalized, and for this I had to pass the square along with several other Jews. We walked with Shabbos clothes, everyone saw that we were Orthodox Jews, but we were uneasy. Although no harm was done to us, the Ukrainians are known as haters of Jews.

"I am now on the road from Kiev to Odessa, dozens of buses of the army passed by. It is clear to me that the last word has not yet been said, and things are far from being calm. Protesters set up roadblocks at the entrances to cities, they are checking each vehicle and the feeling is that it is not allowed to go onto the streets as it is still not clear what is going to happen," says Rabbi Cohen.

Meanwhile, chairman of the Jewish Agency Natan Sharansky announced yesterday (Saturday night) the Jewish Agency's decision to grant emergency aid to the Jewish community in Ukraine and to strengthen the security of Jewish institutions in the country.

At the same time as the immediate assistance, the Jewish Agency will embark on a campaign to raise funds for increasing security measures in Jewish institutions in the Ukraine. "The Jewish community in Ukraine, numbering about 200 thousand members, is one of the most prosperous communities in the world that holds dozens of Jewish institutions. Recent events have taught us that security measures have to be strengthened in these institutions. We have a moral obligation to ensure the safety and security of the community," said Chairman of the Jewish Agency.

Sharansky convened an emergency meeting in his office in Jerusalem at the end of last week in order to assess the situation and learn about the immediate needs of the Ukrainian Jews as a result of the escalation in clashes in Kiev.

Local Jewish leaders in Ukraine have expressed concern to the leadership of the Jewish Agency for the safety of the community if there is worsening in the situation. "We are in close contact with community leaders in Ukraine and closely following events. Jewish Agency assistance is designed to help increase the security of Jewish institutions in the community," said Sharansky.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!