Supporting Ukrainian Jews

Today, as we continue to watch in horror as war unfolds in Europe, I want to focus on elevating the urgent efforts to support our Jewish family in Ukraine. After decades of reviving Jewish life for the 200,000 Jews throughout Ukraine following World War II and the fall of the Soviet Union, the vibrant community that Federation, our global partners, and all of you have helped Ukraine’s Jews build is now under threat.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, our Federation team continues to stay closely attuned to the news and updates from the region and, together with our global partners at JDC, the Jewish Agency for Israel, and World ORT, we remain deeply committed to meeting the critical needs of Ukraine’s Jewish community as the war continues.

The dollars raised by our community through Federation’s Ukraine Emergency Fund will be put towards the national $20 million effort to meet critical humanitarian and communal needs in Ukraine, including:

• securing the local Jewish community and its institutions;
• maintaining critical welfare services and launching an emergency hotline;
• securing Jewish schools and train staff to manage crisis needs; and
• supporting Ukrainian Jews seeking to make Aliyah (immigrate) to Israel.

Thank you to those who have already donated so generously, and to Liza Levy and Dr. Michael Friedman for co-chairing this crucial effort.

We are deeply grateful to our partners for working swiftly to care for those in the midst of this unfolding trauma. To read their ongoing updates, visit shalomdc.org/ukraine-emergency-updates.

With prayers for peace,
Gil

Sign up here to receive future weekly reflections.