Since the outbreak of the war, there has been a sharp rise in the number of patients with severe eye injuries, including shrapnel wounds, blast-related injuries, burns, and penetrating trauma, sometimes resulting in severe and irreversible disability. Some of the patients currently being evaluated in Lviv are expected to travel to Israel in the near future, where they will undergo complex surgeries and hospital-based rehabilitation. As part of the project, One Heart donated advanced medical equipment to establish a prosthetic eye service — an area that until now had not existed in Ukraine at a dedicated professional level and is considered a groundbreaking addition to the country's healthcare system.

At the core of the delegation are Dr. Yoav Verdizer, an ophthalmic surgeon at Bnai Zion Medical Center in Haifa, and Shir Diner, a medical student. Both place a strong emphasis on knowledge-sharing and hands-on training for Ukrainian medical teams, including physicians, nurses, and paramedical professionals, with the aim of enabling the continued, independent treatment of the wounded within the country amid ongoing fighting.

Speaking from Ukraine, Dr. Verdizer shares: "This is a distinctly humanitarian mission, grounded in professional and human solidarity and in the conviction that medical knowledge saves lives. Some of the fighters wounded on the battlefield will undergo life-changing surgeries in Israel. Our work extends beyond the operating room to include training and supporting healthcare systems functioning under sustained pressure. We are proud to stand with our brothers in distress and to contribute our knowledge and expertise to improving the lives of others.

"The current initiative is part of a large-scale project that began in August 2023, following a direct request from the management of the local hospital and the mayor of Lviv to One Heart," says Shir Diner, the project manager. "Unfortunately, the delegation's deployment was postponed due to the outbreak of the war in Israel. Nevertheless, cooperation between the two countries has continued, and in recent months Ukrainian medical teams have traveled to Israel to train with Israeli specialists — all this while both countries are coping with ongoing fighting."

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"As a rabbi in Sydney, I implore you not to betray the Jewish people and not God Himself," Rabbi Schlanger wrote. "This land was given by God to Abraham, then to his son Isaac, and then to Jacob, to be the eternal homeland of the Jewish people. Throughout history, Jews have been torn from their land again and again by leaders who are now remembered with contempt in the pages of history."

The rabbi wrote the letter following Australia's recognition of a Palestinian state and amid rising antisemitism in the country. "Today, you have an opportunity to stand on the side of truth and justice," he continued. "By reversing this act of betrayal, you will not only honor the Jewish people and our heritage, but also stand with the word of God. If you choose this path, you will be welcomed home with open arms and even a warm Shabbat meal. I bless you in advance for having the courage to do what is right and to stand firm against this act of apostasy. In hope and prayer, Rabbi Eli Schlanger."

Rabbi Eliyahu Schlanger, a Chabad emissary (שליח – a rabbi sent to serve Jewish communities worldwide) in Sydney, had recently celebrated the birth of his son. He had been responsible for a commemoration project for those killed in the Meron disaster and organized a memorial evening for emissaries murdered in recent years, including the Holtzberg couple from Mumbai and Rabbi Kogan from Dubai. According to Chabad, he did much to commemorate the victims of the October 7 massacre, and the security of the Jewish people was foremost on his mind. "The bullets of the vile murderers reached him at an event he organized for thousands of Jews – but no bullet can reach the enormous light he spread. He was an angel who took to heart the loss of Jews everywhere."

Shimmy Segal, Chabad spokesman, said, "This is a very difficult day. I knew Rabbi Eli, a very dear man who just weeks ago celebrated his son's brit milah (Jewish circumcision ceremony). This is a difficult situation to digest. This tragic and unexpected event occurred on the first day of Hanukkah (the eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights) at a massive Chabad event, to our understanding, attended by more than 2,000 people. Eli, whom I knew personally, was one of the central emissaries in Sydney and the organizer of this event."

Segal added, "It's very difficult to speak about Eli in the past tense. He was a living man, full of energy, who led the community and was a good friend. He was a guy with a constant smile, an accessible person you could always turn to, and a father to a wonderful family. His character was revealed in full force when he visited Israel just days after October 7. He came on his own initiative to strengthen others, which speaks to a person who thinks only about how he can help others. Eli used to say a phrase that now takes on a chilling meaning: 'The whole world comes to darken – we come to illuminate.'"

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It was the story of the late Shlomo Mansour, who survived the Farhud pogrom in Baghdad as a young child and was later murdered in Hamas captivity at age 85. His personal story has become a symbol of the unbroken chain of antisemitic violence that continues into the present.

The day of the expulsion, observed annually on November 30, seeks to remind the public of the fate of roughly 900,000 Jews who were forced to abandon everything and leave Arab countries and Iran. Although it was a formative historical event, it has yet to receive the recognition it deserves in Israeli public memory. The conference, initiated by the Dahan Center at Bar-Ilan University, headed by Dr. Shimon Ohayon, included testimonies from Jews from Libya, Egypt and Iraq, among them the testimony of Hadassah Lazar, Shlomo's sister.

Shlomo was born in Baghdad in 1938. At age three or four he experienced the Farhud, a brutal pogrom against Jews that left hundreds dead. Hadassah described her brother's account: "The rioters burst into the house, beat our parents and shot his dog in front of his eyes. He fled to the roof and saw two rioters throwing a Jewish baby from side to side like a ball. When they returned the baby to his mother he had already been impaled." According to her, "these are sights no child should ever witness yet for Shlomo they became part of his identity."

The hardships did not end when they immigrated to Israel in 1951 as part of Operation Ezra and Nehemiah. Hadassah described their early days: "We were placed in a transit camp in Atlit in tents and from there moved to the Talpiot maabara, to a small shack. Rain leaked in, the sun scorched, everything was rationed and scarce. It was a sharp fall from our warm home in Iraq to a life of difficulty and overcrowding."

She added that they arrived in a country that was supposed to be home, yet found a daily struggle instead. Integration was difficult. When the family refused to move to Beersheba because they wanted to reach Jerusalem, the establishment punished them by withholding food coupons. "Shlomo, in his wisdom, took my brother who was nine and the two searched through garbage for unburned food coupons. That is how he saved the family. It is unbelievable that in the Land of Israel, the promised home, they were punished with food." Despite everything, she said, Shlomo found the strength to rise above it: "With his generous heart he always found a way to overcome hardship."

Shlomo later joined Kibbutz Kissufim, where he became one of the central figures in the community. "Salt of the earth, a man of endless giving and the beating heart of the kibbutz, his sister said. That is who he was all his life. No matter what he had been through he always chose to see the person, to lend a hand, to strengthen, to encourage and to create goodness around him. That, she said, is how she wants him to be remembered. Not only through the horrors he lived through but through the light he radiated."

But history returned with cruelty. "Not in Iraq, not in Poland but here in the promised land Shlomo was taken from us forever, yet his light remains and serves as our beacon."

At the close of the conference Dr. Ohayon said: "The Farhud and October 7 are two chapters of the same antisemitism. In the past it came from Arab regimes and today it comes from Hamas. It is the same hatred, the same pattern. This is a story that must return to the center because it is an inseparable part of the Israeli story."

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The IRNA news agency reported that large numbers of firefighters were dispatched to the scene and succeeded in bringing the blaze under control. The entire area was evacuated.

M., a local resident, told Israel Hayom: "It was terrifying. The blast was so powerful it was heard throughout the district. We feared war had broken out again. They say the entire factory, which covered about one square kilometer, was completely destroyed."

Video: Massive explosion rocks Shiraz, Iran

Hadi Eidipour, head of the Shiraz Fire and Rescue Department, told the agency that crews from seven stations responded with 11 firetrucks, both heavy and light. "Firefighters fought the flames strategically from three directions to prevent the fire from spreading," he said.

In recent years, poor maintenance of infrastructure and, at times, acts of sabotage by hostile elements inside Iran have caused a series of explosions. Much of the Islamic Republic's infrastructure is outdated, and Western sanctions have made it difficult for Tehran to modernize its facilities.

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"The regime is shutting down banks, our currency has lost all value, and internet access is being limited in various locations," A explained. "We're extremely worried, both about the security crisis, but most importantly – we have no idea how we'll survive tomorrow."

She continued, noting that "nobody is providing us with explanations. The regime, which began with internet limitations, is circulating absurd rumors claiming that if we sleep with our phones near our heads, Israel will detonate them, similar to the pager operation in Lebanon."

Earlier that day, Iran's central news broadcast was compromised by hackers who replaced the regular programming with footage from Iran's hijab protests, urging viewers to demonstrate in the streets due to the leadership's failures. The official lion emblem of Operation Rising Lion was displayed in the screen's corner.

The footage, featuring scenes from the "Woman, Life, Freedom" demonstrations combined with messages about the regime's inability to defend Iranian airspace, aired during News 21 – the nation's highest-rated news program. Subsequently, authorities declared internet limitations throughout Iran.

Based on an announcement from Iran's Ministry of Communications distributed to domestic media outlets, the restrictions aimed to stop "the enemy from endangering civilian lives and assets." Netblocks organization verified that internet connectivity in Iran had virtually vanished entirely.

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The Jewish community in Kryvyi Rih is experiencing a disturbing wave of antisemitic incidents, as a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the city's central synagogue at the conclusion of Passover, just one week after a community vehicle was vandalized.

The first incident occurred early last week when a vehicle belonging to the community, bearing Jewish symbols, was severely vandalized. The vehicle's tires were punctured, community emblems were defaced, and paint was poured over the body of the car. "This was an act aimed at harming us as a Jewish community," Rabbi Liron Edri, the city's rabbi and Chabad emissary, said.

On the evening after Passover, the more serious incident occurred. Molotov cocktails were thrown at the synagogue, and Rabbi Edri was alerted by the CWA security center (Chabad's worldwide security center) in Ukraine. "Thanks to the window reinforcement installed in recent months, a large fire was prevented," Rabbi Edri said. The protection, which includes special shielding along with cameras and alarm systems installed by CWA, prevented the bottles from penetrating inside and causing significant damage.

Rabbi Edri noted that the pattern of operation was similar to an antisemitic incident that recently occurred in the city of Mykolaiv, where Molotov cocktails were thrown at a synagogue. "We fear this is a planned trend against Jewish communities," he added.

Local security authorities have opened an investigation, and the community is awaiting updates. These incidents join a wave of antisemitic events in Ukraine, against the backdrop of the ongoing war and the intensification of antisemitic discourse in Eastern Europe.

Elia Goldberg, CWA security officer, emphasized the importance of early preparation, "The protection and security we installed, with the assistance of the Jewish Agency's Security Fund, saved the synagogue. We continue to work with the community to ensure its security."

Despite the threat, the Chabad community in Kryvyi Rih continues to maintain its activities. "We will not let fear stop us," Rabbi Edri said. "Light will dispel darkness, and I thank the police and government who immediately came to the synagogue and promised to conduct an investigation and arrest the perpetrators," he said.

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Among other things, Netanyahu said: "We have discussed with the Hungarian government a fixed annual grant to the fund dealing with heirless property and the restitution of heirless Jewish assets. Our new ambassador in Budapest, Ms. Maya Kedosh, has a lot of work ahead of her. With God's help, we will continue this effort."

The context for these remarks is the vast amount of Jewish property that belonged to Hungarian Jews murdered in the Holocaust by the Nazis and their Hungarian collaborators. Many of the victims had no heirs. Some were childless individuals, while many were entire families who perished in the gas chambers or were executed by gunfire, leaving behind no surviving relatives. Their assets were seized by the Nazis and, after the war, transferred to the Hungarian government.

The post-Holocaust Hungarian government pledged to return these assets to Jewish hands. However, 80 years have passed without significant action, primarily because most Hungarian governments in the ensuing decades were communist.

It has also emerged that in addition to Netanyahu's public comments, a similar message was conveyed by a senior Israeli official in a closed-door briefing held before Shabbat. In the briefing, the official said the government is engaged in advanced talks with Prime Minister Orbán to achieve justice for the victims of the Nazis by transferring their assets to living Hungarian Holocaust survivors, to the Jewish communities to support their growth and prosperity, or to relatives of the victims.

Hungary's Chief Rabbi Slomo Köves said: "We were pleased to hear about this important progress. There is no doubt that transferring these assets to Hungarian Holocaust survivors will help them live in dignity. Transferring other portions to the Jewish community will undoubtedly strengthen it, ensure its prosperity and continued presence here. This adds to the fact that under Orbán's leadership, Hungary has become the safest country for Jews in Europe, and one of the safest in the world. Returning the stolen property of those martyrs to the survivors, the Jewish community, and their families is a form of justice for the Hungarian Jews murdered in the Holocaust. It is a victory over the Nazis and helps expand Jewish activity in their memory."

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In a powerful display of faith and community support, Alexandre Sasha Troufanov, who was released Saturday in the sixth phase of the hostage deal from Islamic Jihad captivity, marked his first full day of freedom by putting on tefillin at Sheba Medical Center, joined by Russia's Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar, who traveled to Israel specifically for this emotional reunion.

Following the tefillin ceremony, Rabbi Lazar presented Troufanov with a personal gift: a new tefillin set and prayer book, both customized with his name on the case and cover.

The news of Troufanov's release sparked celebrations throughout Russian Jewish communities, with particular jubilation in his birthplace of Rostov. "Sasha is coming home! Our hearts overflow with joy!" announced Rabbi Chaim Danzinger, who serves as both Chief Rabbi and Chabad emissary in Rostov.

In the hours following Shabbat's conclusion – during which his Shabbat-observant grandmother made her way to the hospital for their touching reunion – Troufanov engaged in a heartfelt video conversation with Rabbi Berel Lazar, currently in Israel celebrating his daughter's marriage to the son of Rabbi Avraham Wolf, who leads Chabad activities in Odessa and southern Ukraine and established the 'Family' orphanage.

"I deeply appreciate all your efforts, you are truly remarkable people," Troufanov expressed with sincere emotion to Rabbi Lazar, who had been actively working with high-ranking government officials. "Your heart is immense, and you must continue your vital work. Your faith and compassion are extraordinary, thank you!"

Responding to Troufanov's request, Rabbi Lazar visited this morning for their first in-person meeting, where Troufanov donned tefillin for the first time and recited the Shema Yisrael prayer with profound devotion. He shared reflections on how his faith sustained him throughout his captivity and spoke of his strengthened trust in God.

Ilana, Troufanov's mother, made an impassioned appeal to Jewish women and girls worldwide to light Shabbat candles for those still held in Hamas captivity.

Jewish communities across former Soviet Union states participated in numerous events supporting Troufanov's release and that of all hostages, organized by Chabad emissaries and community rabbis. Rostov hosted multiple gatherings and prayer services.

Troufanov's roots in Rostov run deep. Born there, he immigrated to Israel with his mother, Yelena, at age two. His grandmother, Irina, maintained active involvement with the community, regularly attending synagogue classes and events at the Rostov Jewish community center until her aliyah approximately one year before October 7.

Rabbi Lazar conducted extensive behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts, maintaining crucial connections with various parties involved in negotiations. He also hosted the Troufanov family in Moscow multiple times since October 7.

"The special bond between Troufanov and Russia's Jewish community illustrates the enduring connection between Russian Jewish immigrants to Israel and their original communities," noted a source from the Federation of Jewish Communities in Russia.

As Jewish communities celebrate Troufanov's return, they maintain their focus on those still in captivity. Rabbi Danzinger emphasized this ongoing commitment: "Our prayers continue for the safe return of all remaining hostages."

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Despite rising antisemitism and diminishing tolerance, Iran's Jewish community maintains a strong sense of cultural pride and national identity, according to David Nissan, an Iran expert and former intelligence officer who was born and raised in Tehran. "Jews in Iran face increased suspicion, yet they remain deeply proud of their heritage. It's crucial to understand that Iranian Jews' national identity is tied to Iran, not to any other country, including Israel," Nissan explains, reflecting on the developments in his homeland's Jewish communities over the past 16 months.

When asked to shed light on Iran's Jewish community, once the flagship of Middle Eastern Jewish communities, Nissan notes that despite significant emigration from the revolution to the present day, the community still maintains a complete Jewish way of life: "There are 30 active synagogues, Jewish schools, kosher butchers and restaurants, and even a matzah factory. Jews don't suffer from persecution or harm and are permitted to maintain their Jewish lifestyle without interference. Their rights as an official religious minority in Iran are protected by law and constitution, and they even have a representative in parliament."

What are the challenges facing Iran's Jewish community in 2025?

"As is known, Iranian law follows Islamic law (Sharia), which inherently discriminates between Muslims and non-Muslims. The main challenge for the Jewish community today is separating Zionism from Judaism. They must prominently demonstrate this separation and prove their loyalty to Iran, which views Zionism as illegitimate and reprehensible. The difficult economic situation in Iran also affects the Jewish community, most of which already belongs to a lower socioeconomic status."

The Iranian Jewish community has experienced challenging periods in the past, first after the Muslim conquest in the seventh century, and again during the 16th century when Shiites became the dominant force in Iran. During both periods, Jews suffered from pogroms and discrimination. However, after Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Iran's last Shah, rose to power, Jews experienced their golden age, including integration into key positions in Iranian society and economy.

Following the revolution, the Jewish community, which at its peak included almost 100,000 Jews, shrunk to just 9,000 Jews currently residing in Tehran, Shiraz, and Isfahan. According to Nissan, many community members have no intention of leaving: "Those who want to leave Iran can, but despite past attempts to incentivize Jews to immigrate to Israel, few accepted the offer. Most Jews living in Iran don't see Israel as a better alternative worth leaving everything behind for, mainly due to cultural and economic reasons, but also security concerns."

Starting Monday at "ANU – Museum of the Jewish People," a series of meetings titled "Perspectives on Iranian Jews" will be held about this community, which still maintains a Jewish way of life in Iran's largest and most magnificent cities. Rivka Aderet, head of content series and film meetings at ANU, tells Israel Hayom why she initiated the series: "In recent years, the whole world has been watching Iran due to its isolation, problematic regime to say the least, nuclear threat, and lifestyle completely different from the West. The remaining Jewish community in this intriguing place isn't very small, and I found it interesting to learn about the community's character, how it's organized, who its leaders are, and how it integrates into Muslim society."

What makes Iran's Jewish community so special?

"It's one of the world's oldest Jewish communities. The most prominent example is the Book of Esther, which shows how the Jewish community in Iran influenced our history as a people. It was also interesting to learn about the hardships, restrictions, and difficulties of Iranian Jews, and of course the big question: why they still remain there and don't immigrate to Israel, Los Angeles, or London, despite all the difficulties. All these add a deep layer of mystery and curiosity regarding this community."

Oded Ravivi, CEO of ANU, adds just before the series begins: "The Museum of the Jewish People works to tell the stories of these communities. At this time, the story of Iran's Jewish community is more relevant than ever and sheds light on fascinating and deep aspects – not just about this community, but about the story of the entire Jewish people."

"Through the story of Iran's Jewish community, we are exposed to the power of historical and cultural roots, national versus religious identity, which influence the shaping of all our historical and contemporary narratives. It's important to remember that strengthening the sense of belonging among Diaspora Jews and our commitment as a state to serve as a safe anchor for all Jews who wish to immigrate to Israel is a national mission, which is undoubtedly more important today than ever."

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Ukraine's Jewish communities are preparing to celebrate their third Hanukkah under wartime conditions, hoping that light will dispel the darkness brought by the ongoing conflict. The Federation of Jewish Communities (FJCU) is organizing extensive holiday activities, continuing its tradition since its establishment in the 1990s.

Chabad emissaries, working through the federation, will operate in cities and districts nationwide. The light of Hanukkah will reach 169 Jewish communities in Ukraine, including towns and settlements without permanent representatives – some with just dozens or even a few Jewish residents. Despite freezing weather conditions, JRNU warehouses across Ukraine are currently packing thousands of festive kits for distribution to the country's Jewish population.

Thousands of special kits are being sent to Jewish homes, containing personal menorahs, elegant yarmulkes, Ukrainian-translated psalms books, children's gifts, and sweets. Additionally, central candle-lighting ceremonies will be held in city centers, with the main national ceremony taking place in Maidan Square with public officials and foreign ambassadors in attendance. These ceremonies will be made possible through special permits from authorities to allow Jews to celebrate Hanukkah. Meanwhile, large banners announcing public lighting ceremonies will be displayed in major city centers as part of the religious obligation to publicize the miracle.

This year, "Heroes of Ukraine" – local Jews who were wounded on the Russian front and received medals for heroic combat actions – will be honored with lighting the central menorahs, recognizing their representation of the fight for freedom and personal sacrifice.

In cities under bombardment, central lighting ceremonies traditionally held outdoors will move inside synagogues. "We are at war, with daily bombings," said Rabbi Nachum Ehrentroi, rabbi of the nuclear city Zaporizhzhia. "It's literally life-threatening to gather people on the street; it's absolutely forbidden. We will hold large lighting ceremonies every evening in the synagogue with an expected attendance of 450 Jews. We have a shelter in the synagogue adjacent to the lighting area, and in case of an attack, God forbid, we can immediately go down to the shelter."

Given the severe economic situation of Ukrainian Jews, humanitarian food packages will be distributed to Jewish families, brightening Hanukkah for thousands, alongside personal menorahs and educational holiday games for children. The food packages will contain various staples, including flour, oil, long-life milk, pasta, rice, baked goods, natural juices, and sweets. Some products are manufactured in Ukraine under the strict kosher supervision of the Ukrainian Kashrut Committee UK, led by Rabbi Pinchas Vishedski, one of Kiev's rabbis.

Rabbi Meir Stambler, chairman of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Ukraine, said: "Despite the escalating war, Chabad emissaries are doing everything to bring light into this great darkness. As then and now, we hope for miracles in the war with Russia and pray for victory in the Holy Land, for the swift return of the hostages, and for the coming of the Messiah."

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