NEW TORAH ROLL ON SHAVUOT

WHAT IS TO BE DONE?

HOLOCAUST AND MODERN TIMES

UKRAINIANS AND JEWS

May 10 our elder comrade, member of the Council of regions of Jewish Confederation of Ukraine Alexey Victorovich Golbert passed away eight days before his 78th birthday.

At times they joke in Israel, "Jerusalem prays, Tel-Aviv entertains whereas Haifa works". Like any joke, this one is only partly a joke. The rest is absolutely true. Haifa is the biggest Israeli port, a very important industrial, trading, cultural and educational center of the country. Today it is third in size city of Israel - over 250, 000 inhabitants. Among other things, Haifa is known for its municipal theatre, symphonic orchestra and abundance of museums.

Perhaps, there are few such merry events in the life of a community as receiving a new Torah Roll. In Dnepropetrovsk such holiday occurred Sivan 1, on the eve of the feast of Shavout during which all Jews of the world celebrate Torah's receiving by Moshe Rabeinu on Sinai Mountain. A parchment Roll with the text - Sefer Torah - represents that great eternal document of unity between the people of Israel and the Divine. Donation of a new Roll to a community is one of the brightest holidays.

From May 5 till June 2 a destructive sect of evangelic essence "Jews for Jesus" held a propaganda campaign in Kiev. The sect members extended leaflets in the crowded places. They called Jews and Orthodox believers to accept extremely light version of evangelic Christianity. Sectarians also offered Jews to say a so-called prayer of confession. Its essence is recognizing Jesus as Messiah.

Legendary island of Khortitsa in Zaporozhye hosted a seminar for young leaders of Jewish communities organized by "Joint" in Eastern Ukraine.

May 21 - 23 a conference hall of the Kiev "Hessed - Avot" drew a full house. Over 80 participants from all CIS and Baltic countries took part in the 8th International medical conference held by Kiev institute of social and community workers.

I am deeply grateful to you for your prompt reaction to my request to have an opportunity to read your newspaper. The way your newspaper goes along, selection of materials and authors fully complies with my understanding of what a Jewish newspaper in Ukraine should be.