By Sam Revenson, JCFR Board Member & Chair, Israel & Overseas Committee
In late June, the American Joint Jewish Distribution Committee (JDC) took a limited delegation of seven North American lay leaders to Lviv, Ukraine, and Warsaw, Poland to witness and learn firsthand about current challenges for Jewish Communities in response to needs created by the crisis in Ukraine that is now in its third year.
I was one of the seven on the JDC journey. We were accompanied by the overall JDC Directors for the country of Ukraine and the country of Poland.
Since 1914, JDC is the leading organization providing emergency assistance to Jews overseas all over the world. Visit JDC.org for more information. Your JCFR donations support the work of JDC.
Three communities were visited, Lviv, Ukraine; Rzeszow Poland; and Warsaw, Poland.
As you can imagine this trip was beyond meaningful, to meet and witness the stories of professionals and refugees; to learn firsthand of the current and changing needs, this will aid in our efforts in Richmond to bring critical assistance.
Beyond all else, to provide hugs, to look them in the eyes, to listen to dozens of their personal stories, to let them know they are not forgotten; this will stay with me and validates how important the work of our Jewish Community Federation is.
For me there are two big takeaways:
First and foremost, this intense and daily crisis has not ended. The people somehow persevere but greatly need support from abroad.
We met refugees from all parts of Ukraine who were still within the country in the western city of Lviv as well as refugees outside of their home country in Poland.
One example was the former Director of JCC Kharkiv, now a refugee herself.
Kharkiv had 40,000 Jews before the war; their JCC was destroyed in bombing and their population dispersed.
She is currently living in Warsaw, assisting as a volunteer, and someone in need herself.
Funding our Annual Federation Campaign makes her life and those of other refugees from Ukraine and from the events of October 7th in Israel possible.
Secondly, the Holocaust and World War II are constant reminders based on where they are and what is happening. Sirens, bombings, power outages and large scale war with atrocities have been going on for years and continue today.
While in Lviv, which is considered Ukraine’s safest large city, we heard the sirens and experienced a rolling power outage.
In Warsaw, Holocaust memorials of one kind or another are everywhere. In one personal conversation with our bus tour manager he spoke of the need to have conversations with his family of ‘what if’ the war were to spread and where they might go if it comes to Poland. This in spite of the Patriot Missile batteries and military support we witnessed at the Rzesow airport.
One of the most memorable quotes during this trip came from the Head Rabbi of Poland: “Yes we need to be focusing on Israel; AND we are a strong enough people that we don’t only need to be focused on Israel”
As we can understand, the Jewish Community of Ukraine stands strong with Israel at this time. They also want to be remembered and supported in their ongoing crisis.
There are a hundred stories. I’m always available to share more.
If you want to learn more about the important work of JCFR and our overseas efforts, please contact Sara Rosenbaum srosenbaum@jewishrichmond.org.
