Veteran Ukrainian Teacher Killed in Zhytomyr Battlefield

Andrey Kurovskiy, a longtime computer science teacher at the Or Avner Chabad Jewish school in Zhytomyr, Ukraine, was killed while serving in the Ukrainian armed forces during the ongoing conflict with Russia. A respected and passionate educator for over two decades, Kurovskiy was initially drafted into a drone unit early in the war, where he was injured but returned to the front lines after rehabilitation. His death has deeply impacted the local Jewish community, which continues to mourn the loss of teachers and students amid the ongoing conflict. Rabbi Shlomo Wilhelm, chief rabbi of Zhytomyr and Western Ukraine, highlighted Kurovskiy's dedication both to his students and his country. A funeral procession passed by the school, allowing students and colleagues to pay their respects to the beloved teacher. Despite the tragedy, the Or Avner school is proceeding with its traditional end-of-year "Last Bell" ceremony, symbolizing resilience in the face of war.