Light will defeat darkness
Hanukkah, Christmas & the Wonder-Worker St. Nicholas
From Dec 21 to June 21 the days will get longer and we will have more light.
November & December were particularly difficult for Ukrainians as Russia systematically destroyed infrastructure, taking away light & heat, shelling homes and killing civilians across the country. Through the week of Hanukkah and as Christmas approaches, Ukainians struggle to keep warm, fed, and to be able to function.
The lights of Hanukkah and Christmas bring hope to a suffering nation and to the eventual spring and resurrection that Ukrainian Victory will undoubtedly bring.
Despite the superpowers of strong will, a total commitment to freedom, and the self-reliance of Ukrainians, and that, as President Zelensky said “the light in our faith in ourselves will not be put out”, Ukrainians need help from across the world this winter - and the world is responding.
Together with like-minded people around the world, Mriya Aid donors, supporters and volunteers respond with :
Warm winter clothing, diapers & hospital equipment:
one sea container sent & aid distributed, one more on it’s way
one chartered flight sent & aid distributed, more lined up
Tactical equipment that is needed / proven to function well in winter conditions:
December drone delivery & training for 4 units in partnership with the Ukrainian World Congress: 8 quadcopters & 8 VTOL (vertical take-off & landing) ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) UAVs
Delivery of 25 DJI drones in partnership with other organizations
Christmas gift of 1205 CAT tourniquets to the front
Antennae, laptops, electronics to support non-lethal equipment use
The miraculous light of Hanukkah menorahs lit up across Ukraine, home to one of the world’s largest Jewish communities. This light has been shared widely, including by the popular graphic artist Nikita Titov with his representation of a Ukrainian hanukkiot, and by Canadian ambassador to Ukraine, Larisa Galadza, who observed that the diversity & strength in Ukraine is “the embodiment of light’s power over darkness”.
Earlier this week many Ukrainians celebrated the Feast of St. Nicholas, the guardian of children, soldiers, and travellers - and this feast brought light into the lives of many, despite the dark days they’re living. The Peace Light of Bethlehem was passed to President Zelensky who said that “it will give energy to our warriors who defend Ukraine”; it is making its way across Ukraine. Christmas carols & celebrations focus on Jesus, the “light of the world”, and on traditions of gift giving & goodwill.
The Mriya Aid team is grateful for the gifts & goodwill of kind donors across the world who make it possible for us to help Ukrainian men & women on the frontlines to feel supported as they fight the terrible darkness that befell Ukraine & the world.
The Mriya Aid team is also grateful for a few unexpected gifts which we’ll share with you in the coming weeks. One of them is this video by the award-winning Australian film-maker Richard Lowenstein. The video compilation captures the moment of joy when Ukrainian defenders are reunited with their loved ones, with a reminder that Christmas will be difficult for all of those who will be separated, and especially for those who continue their hard work on the frontlines and in the line of fire.
Please consider making your Hanukkah, Christmas & New Year contribution to one of Mriya Aid’s many ongoing and upcoming winter drives to support Ukrainian defenders : CAT tourniquets, ISR drones, humanitarian & medical aid @ www.mriyaaid.org
Many hands make light work. "The proper response, as Hanukkah teaches, is not to curse the darkness but to light a candle." Irving Yitzchak Greenberg
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“Mriya Aid community is amazing and doing fantastic work. Long may it continue” (Twitter user, Aug. 13, 2022)