With Ukraine still struggling from war in the east and economic collapse throughout the country, Purim came to Kharkov, bringing smiles to the faces of those in the Jewish community.

Thousands of people filled seats at the Kharkov circus to hear the reading of the Megillah and enjoy a full program in the true Jewish Purim spirit. At the circus entrance as they arrived, hundreds of men and boys put on tefillin, women and girls received Shabbat candles, and everyone got mishloach manot gifts of food.

The Ohr Avner Chabad Jewish elementary school—with the children adorned in colorful costumes—put on a Purim shpiel (comedy) to the delight of the audience. There were also acrobats, clowns and singing, with men and boys dancing to Jewish songs.

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Rabbi Moshe Moskovitz, chief rabbi and Chabad-Lubavitch emissary in Kharkov, said a prayer for peace in the nation and the world.

Rabbi Levi Raices, together with the yeshivah ketana (boys’ school), livened up the Megillah reading, dressed up as robots from outer space. Cantor Yitzchak Halfon sang lively medleys with his sons.

The Purim spirit continued throughout the entire day with special programs in the kindergarten, the machon (girls’ school) and the yeshivah, a program for the city’s youth and a lively seudah (festive meal) in the community synagogue.

There were special programs in kindergarten and elementary schools.
There were special programs in kindergarten and elementary schools.
Kids got all dressed up for the holiday.
Kids got all dressed up for the holiday.
Thousands of people filled the Kharkov circus to hear the reading of the Megillah and enjoy a full program in the true Jewish Purim spirit.
Thousands of people filled the Kharkov circus to hear the reading of the Megillah and enjoy a full program in the true Jewish Purim spirit.
Donning tefillin at the Kharkov circus event.
Donning tefillin at the Kharkov circus event.
Putting on tefillin before joining a Purim party.
Putting on tefillin before joining a Purim party.
The circus acts amazed the audience, who got a much-needed break from current events in Ukraine.
The circus acts amazed the audience, who got a much-needed break from current events in Ukraine.
Yeshivah students pitched in throughout the day.
Yeshivah students pitched in throughout the day.
Old and young men alike joined in the mitzvah of tefillin.
Old and young men alike joined in the mitzvah of tefillin.
Entertainment was available for all, with the performers particularly enthralled.
Entertainment was available for all, with the performers particularly enthralled.
Jewish schoolchildren performed for the crowd.
Jewish schoolchildren performed for the crowd.
At the circus entrance, women and girls received Shabbat candles, and everyone got mishloach manot gifts of food.
At the circus entrance, women and girls received Shabbat candles, and everyone got mishloach manot gifts of food.
Rabbi Moshe Moskovitz, chief rabbi and Chabad-Lubavitch emissary in Kharkov, said a prayer for peace in the nation and the world.
Rabbi Moshe Moskovitz, chief rabbi and Chabad-Lubavitch emissary in Kharkov, said a prayer for peace in the nation and the world.
Rabbi Levi Raices, together with the yeshivah ketana (boys’ school), livened up the Megillah reading, dressed up as robots from outer space.
Rabbi Levi Raices, together with the yeshivah ketana (boys’ school), livened up the Megillah reading, dressed up as robots from outer space.
Reading the Megillah in costume.
Reading the Megillah in costume.
Being a rabbi can be fun—so can shaking groggers.
Being a rabbi can be fun—so can shaking groggers.
Purim merrymakers enjoy the holiday.
Purim merrymakers enjoy the holiday.