Ukraine’s Chief Rabbi Moshe Reuven Azman is urging Jews to leave capital city Kiev as anti-Semitic attacks increase. The most recent anti-semitic attacks were on two yeshiva students in the city.
“I told my community to get out of the city and if possible out of the state…there are many warnings about planned attacks against Jewish institutions,” Asman said, adding, “We have been told by the Israeli Embassy to not go outside.”
Many members of Kiev’s Jewish community live within walking distance of the main square in the city that has recently become the focus of anti-government riots. In recent days, chaos has gripped the area following the escalation of violence between government security forces and members of the opposition, with institutions around the city closing and subways no longer operating.
While Chief Rabbi Asman has been forced to close down the city’s Jewish schools, he continues to conduct three prayer services daily in his synagogue. “The situation here is dire,” said Yossi Asman, a Chabad yeshiva student and son of the chief rabbi. “We have been gathering up families and shuttling them out to safer neighborhoods.”
Meanwhile, Obama was too busy too attend a National Security team meeting on Russia, Ukraine.