Jewish communities in Russia, Ukraine and across the former Soviet Union celebrated Victory Day on May 9, despite the coronavirus pandemic complicating efforts to visit Jewish veterans.

Russia’s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar addressed veterans, saying that while his country's Jews “cannot even visit you to express our gratitude”, they can “look at those who are on the front line today” in the fight against coronavirus.

He explained that, “our doctors follow your example, when they save human lives, putting themselves in danger and even risking their lives.”

In Moscow, the Jewish community organised a dispatch of bottles of Champagne, specially decorated cakes and flowers to Jewish veterans in the city, while St Petersburg’s Jewish community held a prayer vigil that was broadcast live online.

Rabbi Shaul Brook, who delivered the prayers, read out the names of more than 500 Jewish soldiers killed during the war.

The Vice President of the Russian Jewish Congress and a prominent member of Azerbaijan’s Mountain Jewish community, German Zakharyayev, said that celebrations would have a more “family”-orientated focus.

It is estimated that some 350,000 to 500,000 Jews served in the Soviet armed forces during the Second World War.

Russia estimates of the number of Jews killed on active service range from 120,000 to 142,000 between 1941 and 1945.

In Ukraine, Jewish communities also celebrated their veterans.

In Kherson, the local Jewish school held an online concert dedicated to veterans and survivors of the war, while the Odessa community “visited every veteran” while keeping social distancing.  

Kiev Chabad said that they would be calling every veteran by telephone to thank them and check on their health, while Kamensky’s Jewish community gave gifts to local veterans and organised a tribute at the local memorial.  

In Israel, where it is estimated there are around 4,500 people eligible for Russia’s Red Army veterans’ benefits, celebrations were also held in cities with strong Russian-speaking communities.

In Ashkelon, an impromptu concert was organised by the deputy mayor using a construction crane as a stand-in stage, enabling residents at a social housing complex hosuing 350 veterans – many of the Red Army – to listen to wartime Russian songs while still abiding by social distancing regulations.  

Israeli youth organisations have also been busy, with one – Atid Bamidbar – gathering Russian-speaking volunteers to call over 350 veterans and their families in 23 cities across Israel. 

The Russian Embassy and the Russian Cultural Centre distributed over 200 food packages to Red Army veterans including buckwheat, pasta, beef stew, tea and Armenian cognac.