Light over darkness: solar lanterns distributed through Ukrainian Catholic University, Lviv

Original post in Ukrainian

TUESDAY, 27 DECEMBER, 2022

The UCU Volunteer Center received about a thousand modern lanterns from American donors from the city of Jamestown. Volunteers will hand them over to the Jewish and Crimean Tatar communities in Kyiv, Lviv, and Drohobych, as well as to the military on the front lines.

At a time of full-scale war and Russia's daily attempts to destroy Ukraine's critical infrastructure, such a gift is very relevant. Since October 10, Ukraine has already experienced eight massive missile attacks on energy infrastructure facilities, and blackout schedules are in effect across the country due to electricity shortages.

Nazar Oleksandr, head of the Lviv Society of Jewish Culture named after Sholoma Aleichema says: "The Jewish community of the city of Lviv expresses great gratitude to the donor from the city of Jamestown for such an unexpected gift to our community - flashlights. We will distribute them to people who are in need, to elderly people who rarely leave their homes and suffer from regular power outages."

Myroslav Marynovych, UCU vice-rector for purpose and mission, considers it symbolic that such gifts arrived at the UCU Volunteer Center during the good New Year holidays, as well as Hanukkah and Christmas: "During Hanukkah, light has a special value as a symbol of victory over evil. Likewise, the Christmas star for Christians is a symbol of the ignition of new hope."

Let us add that the Hanukkah holiday is one of the most important Jewish holidays, known for the tradition of lighting special Hanukkah candles. This year, Hanukkah began on December 18 and lasted for 8 days. The holiday symbolizes the victory of good over evil and light over darkness and teaches never to despair and to trust God.

Many thanks to our American friends from the city of Jamestown for such a gift!