UPDATE #56

September 30, 2025 (Sabra House)

“A Drop of Light from Zion”

Update No. 56 in YAD VASHEM Memorial Ceremony for the Victims of Babi Yar

Shalom and blessings to you, my dear brothers and sisters around the world.

On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, I participated in the memorial ceremony for the victims of Babi Yar, Babi Yar ravine, near Kyiv, Ukraine. There, in the ravine near Kyiv, Ukraine, one of the most horrifying crimes in human history took place. On September 29 and 30, 1941, 33,771 Jews—men, women, and children—were shot to death by the Nazis and their collaborators. In the following two years, until 1943, the ravine became a pit of death, where a total of about 100,000 people were murdered—Jews, together with Roma, prisoners of war, and others.

In that place, the image of God in man was trampled, and only pure evil remained. As it is written:
“What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that Thou visitest him?” (Psalm 8:4).
When man cuts himself off from his Creator, he loses his humanity as well.

One of the shocking facts is that the youngest victim was a newborn baby only three days old, while the oldest was a Jew of 103 years. The horror of generations.

At the ceremony, I met a precious survivor, Michael, now 92 years old, who was saved by a wondrous miracle. As a little child, his parents were murdered, and he was left alone. A Christian neighbor, full of compassion, took him into her home. But when the order came to bring all the Jews to Babi Yar, she too was driven there together with the boy. One of the soldiers noticed she was not Jewish and shouted: “What are you doing here? Only Jews are to be here!”
Michael recounted that out of sheer terror she became speechless—her mouth was literally closed, and she could not utter a word. The soldier, angry, pushed her away and commanded: “Take the child and get out!”—thus her life, and the child’s life, were spared.
As it is written: “Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:4).

On behalf of the Sabra Foundation, I laid a wreath in memory of the victims. This is not symbolic alone. Part of Sabra’s vision is to help Holocaust survivors—not only on memorial days but throughout the year—supporting them physically, morally, and emotionally, offering some comfort in the evening of their lives.

At the ceremony were present government ministers, members of the Knesset, the chairman of Yad Vashem, heads of organizations, and relatives of the murdered. Yet most moving of all were the Holocaust survivors themselves—fewer and fewer remain, their bodies frail, their souls still wounded.

To you, dear readers, I want to emphasize: when we speak of “millions,” we must never forget that each one was a whole world. Every person had a name—a name given by parents, a name carrying identity and soul. From the very beginning of creation it is written:
“And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field.” (Genesis 2:20).
If names for the animals mattered—how much more the names of human beings, created in God’s image.

Therefore, in our own days, we must not lose the sensitivity of heart. To remember that every person is created in the image of God. The world once again faces waves of hatred and antisemitism—but we, as believers in the God of Israel, are called to stand firm in faith, to remember, to tell, and to strengthen Israel, that it may live and flourish in the Land of Zion and Jerusalem.

Prayer and Blessing:
God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, comfort the broken hearts of the Holocaust survivors. Guard them in the remainder of their days, and give us the courage to resist evil and strengthen the people of Israel.
As it is written: “Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.” (Psalm 71:9).
And to you, dear reader—may the Lord bless you with a year of inner light, of strong faith, and of divine protection over you and all your household.
May this new year be a year of deeper connection with the God of Israel and with the people of Israel—standing together in faith, love, and unity.
As it is written: “The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” (Numbers 6:24–26).
Amen.

May the blessings of the Most High be upon you, your family, and your community.

From the House of Good Deeds (Sabra House), the Land of Zion, and the City of Jerusalem,
Your brother in Israel,
Mordechai ben Yaakov