Mariupol, one of Putins main targets in Ukraine, once sheltered a great yeshiva – JTA News – Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Posted By admin on April 25, 2022
(JTA) Barring a miracle, Mariupol, the beleaguered industrial center in eastern Ukraine, may henceforth be known only as the city that bore the brunt of Vladimir Putins unprovoked assault on Ukraines independence and its people.
But the city also has a rich and often tragic Jewish history,shaped by conflict and the efforts of previous generations to preserve their lives, faith and culture in the face of brutality.
One such story starts at the beginning of the 20th century, not in Ukraine but in Lithuania.
Perched on the western edge of the Russian Empire, the Lithuanian town of Panevezys (pronounced Ponevezh or Ponevich) was home to some 7,000 Jews, roughly half the total population. The town boasted few amenities, but chief among them was the yeshiva established in 1909 by Liba Miriam Gavronskii, widowed daughter of the wealthy tea magnate Kalonymus Wissotsky. Rabbi Yitshak Yaakov Rabinovich (known as Reb Itsele Ponevezher, 1854-1919) was its first head, or rosh yeshiva.
The yeshiva flourished, but it faced an early threat to its existence with the outbreak of World War I. Seeking to undermine the Russian war effort, the Germans directed a Yiddish-language proclamation to the Jews of the Russian Empire, promising them full emancipation and equal rights once the Romanov dynasty was toppled. Already distrustful of his large Jewish population, the notoriously antisemitic Tsar Nicholas II ordered a brutal expulsion of Jews from the borderlands region to the interior of the Russian Empire.
The Yeshiva of Ponevezh was forced to relocate, first to Ludza in nearby Latvia, and then once again to Mariupol. Before returning to reestablish itself in independent Lithuania in 1919, the yeshiva would spend the remainder of the war years in Mariupol.
Why Mariupol? The great distance from the front lines certainly factored in the thinking of the rosh yeshiva, but Mariupol had developed a reputation as a haven for Jewish settlement. In 1791, the port city was added to the Pale of Settlement, the region of the Russian Empire designated for Jews. By 1847 just over a hundred Jews had established homes in Mariupol, participating in the Black Sea trade. It became a destination for Jews looking for economic opportunity and those fleeing the overcrowded regions of Lithuania and Belarus. By the end of the 19th century, the city was home to over 5,000 Jews, constituting 16% of the population; the 1926 census records 7,332 Jews in Mariupol, or 18% of the city.
The expanding, dynamic Jewish community of Mariupol disturbed only by riots associated with the 1905 revolution came to an abrupt end with the Nazi invasion. Mariupols Jews were rounded up and shot by Einsatzgruppen on a single dark day Oct. 18, 1941 as part of the horrific Holocaust by Bullets.
Rabbi Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman, second rosh yeshiva of the Ponevezh Yeshiva. (National Library of Israel)
As for the Lithuanian yeshiva that was sheltered by Mariupol in World War I, it went on to establish itself as one of the greatest institutions of Talmudic study during the interwar years. In 1939, however, war came to Panevezys again, with both the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany invading Lithuania. Under the leadership of Rabbi Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman (1888-1969), the yeshiva continued to function under Communist rule despite the fact that he was trapped outside the country, with students moving from one synagogue to another until the Nazis took over in June 1941 and murdered them all, together with most of Rabbi Kahanemans family.
In 1944, Rabbi Kahaneman reestablished the Ponevezh Yeshiva once again this time in Bnai Brak, in what would become Israel with seven students. Amazingly, it has grown to reclaim its reputation among the most prominent institutions of higher Talmudic education in the world; at 98, its current rosh yeshiva, Rabbi Gershon Edelstein, is regarded by many as the spiritual leader of the Lithuanian non-Hasidic stream of haredi Orthodoxy.
After the Holocaust, Jews slowly trickled back into Mariupol, which in 1948 was renamed Zhdanov by the Soviets after the sudden death of Andrei Zhdanov (1896-1948), long rumored to be Joseph Stalins presumed successor (his son also married the Soviet dictators daughter). By 1959 over 2,000 Jews lived in the city, but only constituted about 1% of the total population.
With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the city reclaimed its original name of Mariupol in 1989, and became part of newly independent Ukraine shortly thereafter. The heroic presence of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement in Mariupol, as in many formerly Soviet communities, supported the tiny Jewish population that remained after most of them emigrated to Israel in Operation Exodus when Jews escaped the crumbling Soviet Union more than three decades ago and continued to serve even through the Russian invasions of 2014 and 2018. Now, in the midst of the invasion of 2022, Chabad and others are working to evacuate as many of them as possible.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.
See the original post:
- Rabbi Englander honored for 23 years of service at Bnai Torah ... - June 28th, 2022
- Rachel Timoner, 51, rabbi helping to amplify the voices of liberal Jews - Cleveland Jewish News - June 28th, 2022
- Why Rabbi Matondo was at Cardiff City's training base today - Wales Online - June 28th, 2022
- 'Attacks the integrity of the Jewish family:' Congregation fights against SCOTUS abortion ruling - WPBF West Palm Beach - June 28th, 2022
- 20 years on, don't forget Andreas the rabbi who just wanted to help - Camden New Journal - June 28th, 2022
- Shabbats on the Beach & Open Houses - framinghamsource.com - June 28th, 2022
- Double standards for rabbis and politics | Elchanan Poupko | The Blogs - The Times of Israel - June 28th, 2022
- These Clergy Are Bridging the Gap Between Religion and Climate - InsideClimate News - June 28th, 2022
- Those Messiah Is Here! signs popping up in New York? Heres whos behind them. - Forward - June 28th, 2022
- An Evening of Inspiration | JewishBoston - jewishboston.com - June 28th, 2022
- SJN: Rabbi Freundlich is donating a kidney in the memory of a special two year old girl - The Suburban Newspaper - June 26th, 2022
- Two New Campus Couples Selected for Beren Campus, Set to Replace the Bernsteins - The Commentator - June 26th, 2022
- Celtic can land the next Patrick Roberts by signing Rabbi Matondo - FootballFanCast.com - June 26th, 2022
- Texas rabbi who founded underwear nonprofit named CNN Hero - Jewish News of Greater Phoenix - June 26th, 2022
- Ukraine's only mohel returns to warzone on a Jewish mission - Ynetnews - June 26th, 2022
- This rabbi made the religious case for abortion 30 years ago it didnt go well. - Forward - June 25th, 2022
- This weeks Torah portion is all about the importance of independent journalism - Forward - June 25th, 2022
- What do Jews say about abortion? Your primer as Roe is overturned J. - The Jewish News of Northern California - June 25th, 2022
- Lifecycles announcements for the week of June 24, 2022 J. - The Jewish News of Northern California - June 25th, 2022
- Ascending The Ladder - The Jewish Press - JewishPress.com - June 25th, 2022
- Leeds United can land the next Raphinha in Rabbi Matondo - FootballFanCast.com - June 25th, 2022
- Former rabbinical student recalls the moment his belief in the Lubavitcher Rebbe vanished - Forward - June 14th, 2022
- Two locals are back on their bar mitzvah bimahs as clergy interns J. - The Jewish News of Northern California - June 14th, 2022
- Federation honors Heller, Chelm at 118th annual meeting - Cleveland Jewish News - June 14th, 2022
- Congregation T'chiyah Has Tripled in Size in Seven Years Detroit Jewish News - The Jewish News - June 14th, 2022
- Poland Chief Rabbi Michael Schudrich to speak at Federation annual meeting June 9 - Cleveland Jewish News - June 6th, 2022
- The ordination of the first female rabbi 50 years ago has brought many changes and some challenges - Religion News Service - June 6th, 2022
- Rhythm of an ominous beat: Rabbi Shergill on what ails Punjabi music - The Tribune India - June 6th, 2022
- A Lancaster County rabbi addresses the antisemitic and racist 'great replacement theory' [column] - LNP | LancasterOnline - June 6th, 2022
- Today is a Jewish holiday, the festival of Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks - The State Journal-Register - June 6th, 2022
- Does God Have Regrets? OpEd Eurasia Review - Eurasia Review - June 6th, 2022
- Queen Elizabeth II and the Jews - aish.com - Aish - June 6th, 2022
- As a young rabbi, he helped women obtain illegal abortions. At age 90, he's fighting for them once again The Forward - Forward - June 4th, 2022
- A Tearful Reunion in Ukraine For an Elderly Congregant and His Rabbi - Homebound through pandemic and war, Jewish man has been cared for from afar -... - June 4th, 2022
- Bay Area Jewish Healing Center to shut down after 31 years J. - The Jewish News of Northern California - June 4th, 2022
- Dr. Edward Reichman Appointed as the Rabbi Isaac and Bella Tendler Chair in Medical Ethics - Yeshiva University News - Yu News - June 2nd, 2022
- Chicago Pastor Chris Harris and Skokie Rabbi Ari Hart team up to erase $1.9 million in medical debt - FOX 32 Chicago - June 2nd, 2022
- There are days when we just have to put one foot in front of another until it's over, says Rabbi Steve Leder on the loss of a child. - KCRW - June 2nd, 2022
- Our outrage must evolve into the will to stop gun madness - The Dallas Morning News - June 2nd, 2022
- Will We Bring Bikkurim During Shemittah? - The Jewish Press - JewishPress.com - June 2nd, 2022
- Ealing rabbi and campaigning survivor among those honoured by Queen - Jewish News - June 2nd, 2022
- The Detroit church founded by antisemite Father Coughlin hosts an event on Jewish-Catholic relations - JTA News - Jewish Telegraphic Agency - June 2nd, 2022
- Rabbi Blau headed to Poland on RCA mission - Cleveland Jewish News - May 14th, 2022
- Rabbi: Jewish Law Provides Room For Debate To Protect Life In The Womb And The Mothers Health - CBS Miami - May 14th, 2022
- Some Conservative rabbis are flouting the intermarriage ban J. - The Jewish News of Northern California - May 14th, 2022
- The Out-of-Town In-Towner: Rabbi David Bashevkin and Authentic Religious Experience - The Commentator - The Commentator - May 14th, 2022
- 'Survivor' Torah scroll will journey from Palo Alto to Israel this summer J. - The Jewish News of Northern California - May 14th, 2022
- Rabbi Chaim Ingram From London To Sydney And Music To The Rabbinate - The Jewish Press - JewishPress.com - May 14th, 2022
- Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley: May 20-26 - Sedona.Biz - The Voice of Sedona and The Verde Valley - Sedona.biz - May 14th, 2022
- EMOR: We cannot teach Torah by avoiding portions we don't like J. - The Jewish News of Northern California - May 14th, 2022
- No, Rabbi Boteach, the death penalty is barbarian, and hate is idolatry and dumb - The Times of Israel - May 14th, 2022
- How the Munich Massacre relates to Russia's invasion of Ukraine - Online Athens - May 14th, 2022
- Mammon In Light of Torah - The Commentator - The Commentator - May 6th, 2022
- Jewish summer camp veterans are opening a camp for trans kids. It was filled within weeks. - JTA News - Jewish Telegraphic Agency - May 6th, 2022
- Rabbi Bears Witness In Poland - East Hampton Star - April 30th, 2022
- 79 year old becomes community's newest rabbi | Community | jewishaz.com - Jewish News of Greater Phoenix - April 30th, 2022
- Rabbi: Palestinian Issue Will Only Be Resolved by Ending the Occupation - IQNA (International Quran News Agency) - April 30th, 2022
- A letter to the Muslim community in Illinois on the sanctity of the Haram al-Sharif - Mondoweiss - April 30th, 2022
- Spirit & Place Festival coming to Indianapolis this May - WISH TV Indianapolis, IN - April 30th, 2022
- N.J. synagogue holds Blessing of the Animals event (PHOTOS) - NJ.com - April 30th, 2022
- Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley: May 6-12, 2022 - Sedona.Biz - The Voice of Sedona and The Verde Valley - Sedona.biz - April 30th, 2022
- Striking Pair: Pastor & Rabbi Team Up To Bring Community Together With Duckpin Bowling - CBS Baltimore - April 25th, 2022
- 79 year old becomes new rabbi | Community | jewishaz.com - Jewish News of Greater Phoenix - April 25th, 2022
- Rabbi Akiva's Students and the Omer - aish.com - Aish - April 25th, 2022
- 'There Is Always Hope.' A Ukrainian Rabbi on Celebrating Passover in a Time of War - TIME - April 25th, 2022
- Retired QC rabbi to be honored at May 1 Holocaust remembrance - WHBF - OurQuadCities.com - April 25th, 2022
- Rabbis on the move: departures and promotions across the Bay Area J. - The Jewish News of Northern California - April 25th, 2022
- Bay Area rabbis bear witness to Ukrainian refugees in Poland J. - The Jewish News of Northern California - April 25th, 2022
- Holocaust memorial plaza opens to the public - KTNV 13 Action News Las Vegas - April 25th, 2022
- An unexpected reminder of the wonder of a synagogue experience J. - The Jewish News of Northern California - April 25th, 2022
- Daily Kickoff: Remembering Orrin Hatch + Passover growth in the UAE - Jewish Insider - April 25th, 2022
- Utah DWR to auction antlers and furs from poached wildlife - Salt Lake Tribune - April 25th, 2022
- Faith Matters: April's holidays ask us to give something up for the common good - The Recorder - April 25th, 2022
- Rabbi who foiled hostage-taking will be guest speaker at Ramadan celebration - Forward - April 2nd, 2022
- Herzogs visit to Ankara shows strong US-Turkey ties: US rabbi | Daily Sabah - Daily Sabah - April 2nd, 2022
- Overseeing Generations of Growth: Rabbi Yosef Blau's Historic Career at YU - The Commentator - The Commentator - April 2nd, 2022
- 12 ways to celebrate Passover in the Tampa Bay area - Tampa Bay Times - April 2nd, 2022
- Even the Army Couldnt Keep Them Apart - The New York Times - April 2nd, 2022
- Rabbi of Ukraine city captured by Russia warns of 'new ... - March 29th, 2022
- Retired Rabbi Jon Adland part of investigation for sexual ... - March 29th, 2022
Comments