How did an American-born Chasidic rabbi end up on the team seeking to solve the political crisis in the Ukraine?
Ukraine’s Chief Rabbi Yaakov Dov Bleich, who was asked to join a committee that is engaged in talks with anti-government protesters, explained that people have far more trust in their religious leaders than politicians.
“Close to 80 per cent of Ukrainians regard themselves as religious in some way,” he said. “As religious leaders we are more trusted, people appreciate us — we form an important part of Ukrainian civil society. In these discussions we can act as go-betweens and bring both sides to the table. The Jewish community is, of course, a small minority here, but we are a vocal minority.”
