Jewish couples marry in Kyiv for first time since war began amid weekend ceasefire

For the first time in more than four years, since the full-scale invasion by Russia in February 2022, Jewish couples in Kyiv have been able to celebrate their unions in a mass wedding ceremony. This joyous occasion, made possible by a fragile three-day ceasefire, underscores the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring importance of tradition even amidst the ravages of war.

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To witness a couple aged 92 entering the chuppah is not something ordinary.

The Jewish Community Center Beit Menachem organized the event, bringing together couples of all ages, including a remarkable pair aged 92. Many of these couples had been living together for years, their dreams of formal marriage deferred by the constant threat of Russian attacks. This ceremony represents not just a personal milestone but a powerful declaration of hope and continuity, a refusal to let conflict extinguish the desire to build a Jewish home and preserve their heritage.

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We have been living for a long time under the shadow of war, with uncertainty and daily challenges becoming part of normal life. And specifically within that reality, people are choosing to pause and declare: we are continuing the chain of generations, preserving our tradition, and building a Jewish home.

Rabbi Yonatan Markovitch, the Chief Rabbi of Kyiv, described the event as one of the most moving moments the community has experienced. Witnessing a 92-year-old couple exchange vows under the chuppah, he noted, is extraordinary. "We have been living for a long time under the shadow of war, with uncertainty and daily challenges becoming part of normal life. And specifically within that reality, people are choosing to pause and declare: we are continuing the chain of generations, preserving our tradition, and building a Jewish home," he said. This sentiment powerfully captures the local perspective: a deep-seated commitment to life and tradition that transcends the immediate dangers.

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In other words, the Russian army is not observing any silence on the front and is not even particularly trying to.

While the ceasefire, brokered by US President Donald Trump, offered a brief respite, it was reportedly strained by violations from both sides. Ukrainian officials reported numerous battlefield clashes, and three people were killed in Russian drone strikes. President Zelensky acknowledged that Russia had not engaged in large-scale aerial attacks but continued ground assaults. From our perspective here in Ukraine, this highlights the precariousness of any peace, however brief, and the constant vigilance required. Western media may focus on the geopolitical maneuvering behind the ceasefire, but for us, it's about the tangible moments of normalcy and joy that we can snatch from the jaws of war, like these weddings.

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I have just read the response from Iran’s so-called “Representatives.” I don’t like it - totally unacceptable!