Lviv, a city in the western part of Ukraine, has a long and rich history, with particular significance for Jews. Sholom Aleichem, the “father of Yiddish literature,” even spent time in Lviv (1905-1906), waiting for papers to emigrate to the United States. For several years prior to World War II, when Lviv was part of Poland, the city became a center of the Jewish cultural, religious and political life. With more than 150,000 Jews (33% of the city’s population), it was home to many synagogues, a Jewish newspaper, Jewish schools (both secondary schools, a college, a technical school) and more. Coffee shops throughout the city were regular gathering places for intellectuals and writers. Like most of Ukraine, the holocaust brought unimaginable tragedy to Lviv, and the Jewish population was substantially reduced.
Today, Lviv is the largest city in Western Ukraine, and the fifth largest city in the country; it is also one of Ukraine’s most important business centers, with many large industrial enterprises. The Jewish population never returned to its pre-World War II numbers, but it did increase substantially until the 1970s when many people left for Israel and other countries. Over the past two years the population in the city, including Jews, swelled, as people resettled from the Eastern part of Ukraine. Sadly, Lviv has not provided the safe haven many people hoped; it has been hit by deadly missile strikes and power outages.
JRNU regularly provides humanitarian aid to the Jews of Lviv, including food, clothing, household supplies and other essentials. For all major holidays we distribute gifts, ceremonial items and special food parcels. We look forward to an end to the crises when we can resume our work rebuilding the Jewish community of Lviv, to reflect the rich history and traditions of the past. With your help we continue to save lives and restore hope.
