The distribution of the fourth thousand Jewish books, donated to Jewish communities by Yosef (Yuri) Nikitenko, a respected member of the Jewish Community of Dnipro, and his family, has begun. This large-scale charitable initiative is a continuation of a larger program jointly run with the Jewish Community of Dnipro and continues to expand its reach. The Jewish books are now being sent not only to communities in Ukraine but also abroad, making them accessible, first and foremost, to Ukrainian Jews living around the world.
A large number of books have already been sent to Jewish communities abroad. Twenty-five copies of the Torah have been sent to the Neuss community in Germany, 50 to Hanover, and 50 to Düsseldorf; 90 Chumash have been sent to the Latvian city of Jurmala; Fifteen machzorim were sent to Burgas, Bulgaria, for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Ten siddurim were also sent to the renowned Beit Menachem synagogue in Kfar Chabad, Israel. These books will be greatly needed to strengthen Jewish life, especially for those Ukrainian Jews who are currently far from their hometowns and communities. The books bear a special inscription: “This book was donated to the Jewish community in memory of Mikhail Farber, Ivan, and Yevgeny Nikitenko by the Nikitenko family: Yosef Nikitenko, Avital-Leah Nikitenko, Hana-Golda, Tsilya, and Sarah Nikitenko. May they be blessed and successful in all their endeavors.”
However, the distribution of the fourth thousand Jewish books does not only benefit communities abroad. The books are also being sent to Jewish communities in Ukraine in need of such support. Of particular importance at this stage is the shipment of books to Gadyach, where a major fire recently broke out in the synagogue of the Admor Hazaken pilgrimage complex belonging to the Alter Rebbe, the founder of the Lubavitch Chabad movement, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liady. The fire caused extensive damage to the synagogue and destroyed many of the books it contained. Now that a temporary synagogue has been established while the center is being restored, it is especially important to refill it with the books necessary for prayer and Torah study. Seventy books have been sent to Gadyach as part of the distribution of the fourth thousand: 15 machzorim for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, 10 siddurim, and 30 chumashim.
Jewish books are also being sent to many other places where they are needed for prayer, study, and a fulfilling Jewish life. Twenty siddurim and 20 tegilim were donated to the Medzhybizh synagogue, books were also sent to Berdichev and Chisinau, and the renowned EKA camp also received Jewish books as part of this campaign. The distribution of the fourth thousand is ongoing, so the list of communities and organizations receiving books through this charitable initiative will expand.
The distribution of Jewish books is a special and extremely important mission, the significance of which was repeatedly emphasized by the Head of our generation, the Seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who called for Jewish books to be in every Jewish home and become a constant part of Jewish life. Assistance in the distribution of holy books, through which more and more Jews have the opportunity to pray, study Torah, and strengthen their connection to Judaism, is a great merit before the Almighty for those who carry out this important mission and brings blessings to those in whose honor and memory such good deeds are performed.
