Highlight High Holidays, veterans’ meeting

My wife Katrusia and I wish all our Jewish friends and neighbors Happy New Year 5777, Rosh Hashanah, the observance of which began at sundown on Sunday and ended at nightfall Tuesday.
Rosh Hashanah means “Head of the Year” It is also known as “The Day of Shofar Blowing” (“Yom Teruah”). It is the birthday of the universe, the day God created Adam and Eve, and it’s celebrated by candle lighting in the evening, festive meals with sweet delicacies during the night and day, prayer services that include the sounding of the ram’s horn (“shofar’) on both mornings (except when the first day falls on Sabbath), and desisting from creative work.
In Ukraine, more than 30,000 of Hassidic Jews from all over the world have gathered in a small city, Uman in the Cherkassy region, where there is one of the holiest Jewish shrines — the grave of “tsaddik” Rabbi Nachman — a charismatic founder of Breslavian Hassidim.
He moved to Uman in spring 1810. He preached his last lesson to hundreds of followers on Rosh Hashanah 1810 and passed away a few weeks later on Oct. 16, 1810, at the age of 38.
He was buried in Uman All who were fortunate to meet the New Year at the grave of tsaddik Nachman are certain that the year 5777 will be lucky for them.
The security of the pilgrims in Uman is being provided by 200 Ukrainian and 15 Israeli policemen.

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The monthly membership meeting of Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post #40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans, headed by retired U.S. Army Col. Roman Rondiak of Osprey, who is also UAV National Adjutant, will take place at 1:00 p.m., this Fri., Oct. 7, at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center, 4100 S. Biscayne Dr., North Port.
United States armed forces veterans of Ukrainian descent, and others whose spouse is of Ukrainian descent, with other than dishonorable discharge are invited to join our post, thus far the only UAV Post in the state of Florida.
Col. Rondiak is urging all members to attend this meeting because one of the items on the agenda is election of post officers for the next term, and preparation for the formal installation scheduled to be held at noon, Wednesday, Nov. 16 at Heron Creek Golf and Country Club, 3401 S. Sumter Blvd., North Port.
Other important issues are also on the agenda to be discussed and approved by members.
Tickets for the Nov. 16 Officers Installation/Fundraiser Brunch Buffet Luncheon, are $25 per person and should be ordered in advance by contacting Gene at 941-786-5256, Roman at 941-445-5281, or yours truly at 941-4239499. There will be no tickets available at the door. Proceeds of the luncheon will support UAV programs (scholarships, welfare, etc.)
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Traditional Ukrainian American dinners are being served between 4 and 6 p.m., each Friday at the Ukrainian Catholic Parish Center located next to the Presentation of the Most Holy Mother of God (St. Mary’s) Ukrainian Catholic Church, 1078 N. Biscayne Dr. (corner of W. Price Blvd.), North Port.
For more information, call the Parish Hall at 941-423-2427, or Rectory at 941-4267931.
Email:atanask@aol.com.  

Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians
by Atanas Kobryn