We are the largest boots on the ground Jewish humanitarian aid organization in Ukraine. We were there long before others arrived to assist with the current crisis, and we will be there long after they leave: As JRNU CEO Shlomi Peles states, “we are woven into the fabric of communities in more than 35 cities across Ukraine. We know the young children and their grandmothers. As part of the communities for decades, [our rabbis] have an intimate understanding of the needs.”
“The local rabbis who have remained in Ukraine, despite the war, are true Jewish heroes of today,” explains JRNU Senior Advisor David Eliezrie.
With more than two decades of experience living and working in Ukraine, our rabbis, staff and volunteers have an extensive network of suppliers who have been critical over the past 19 months. And, when necessary, we create new sources for goods and services. For the high holidays, we worked with the rabbi in Krasilovka to arrange a special production run of 15,000 bottles of kosher honey; kosher honey cookies were made in a nearby bakery. We also arranged for chicken, beef, cheese, milk, butter, mayonnaise and ketchup to be produced in Ukraine…50 tons in all!
“We want to help the local communities,” explains Rabbi Peles. “We are always thinking of how we can get people back to work and make things close to normal; this is part of it. It is also why we are reopening schools this year, some in person and some online, depending on location; we want children to feel as normal as possible. [W]e have to make sure that the Jews of Ukraine feel exactly the same way Jews in Israel, United States, and around the world feel on Rosh Hashanah.”
Since the war began, people have been coming to JRNU for help, when they have no one to call and no where to go. Our synagogues and community centers are open, and our rabbis and staff are available to help. We even added a new rabbi in Ukraine, with the recent arrival of Mendy Halperin, his wife Mushky and their 4-month old son Ari, to the western city of Chernivtsi, where the Jewish community is burgeoning.
We have the resources, experience, skill and personnel to deliver aid efficiently and effectively. With minimal overhead and virtually no bureaucracy, our supporters are assured that their donations reach and those who need it most. With your support we continue to save lives and restore hope.
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