We strongly condemn the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine. This is a violation of international law and territorial integrity. We are deeply concerned and pray for the wellbeing of the country’s entire population, including the Jewish community.
With multiple locations now under fire, concerns about the Jewish community there have accelerated. We are working with our national and international partners, Jewish Federations of North America, the Jewish Agency for Israel, and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), who are collecting information and forming their responses to the changing and mounting challenges. They are also tracking potential vulnerabilities within the Russian Jewish community, which might emerge in response to the strong Israeli position supporting Ukraine.
Many of us are asking how we can help the Jewish community right now. While we are certain that help will be needed, the exact nature, the number of services, and how many people will request or require different forms of assistance is not yet clear. Meanwhile, our partners are working to determine the essential infrastructure and staffing costs that these operations will incur. Though not yet a comprehensive or full plan, we wanted to keep you updated on what we are hearing so far.
As of now, we are aware that:
- The Jewish Agency is focusing on Aliyah and community security, moving the Jewish Agency operation from Kyiv to Lviv, initiating the Jewish Agency Aliyah hotline, securing temporary housing for people in transit, and the purchase of satellite phones to maintain communications across the region.
- The JDC is looking to maintain critical welfare services and assist internally displaced people in multiple locations. This includes emergency preparations and stockpiling of goods for JDC Heseds (social welfare centers).
- World ORT is reporting an initial need of $100,000 to secure five ORT schools and to ensure that schools and staffs are equipped to respond to emergency needs at the school locations.
- We have also been approached by United Hatzalah to help support their two local units in Kyiv and Uman and additional medical staff to be deployed to the border with Moldova, as well as Hillel International regarding the five Hillels located in Ukraine. We are collecting additional information from these and other organizations.
We will continue to keep you posted as we consult with key leadership on advancing this effort.
We invite you to make a contribution to show your support of the Jewish community of Ukraine.
