This weekend, air strikes on residential and commercial buildings in Ukraine left at least 14 people dead (including two children), and 7 injured. In Poltava, an apartment building was hit, with more than 200 people needing medical and mental health support. In Odessa, a landmark hotel was severely damaged, as was the adjacent Jewish educational center. Other parts of the country were negatively impacted as well, including the Kharkiv and Sumy regions; Ukraine's energy infrastructure remains very much in peril.
The structural damage to the school in Odessa was significant, requiring the facility to be closed temporarily; students were told they would be on break until renovations were complete or an alternative location was arranged. Rabbi Avraham Wolff, Chief Rabbi of Odessa and Southern Ukraine reassured students’ families:
“I want to calm all the parents; every student is safe and protected. We are working tirelessly to restore normalcy as soon as possible.” Rabbi Wolff praised the Odessa Jewish community for continuing to demonstrate remarkable resilience throughout the many challenges it has faced: “With G-d’s help, we will overcome this as well and resume studies soon.”
Many of the more than 100 students from the educational center are graduates of JRNU’s Or Avner schools and/or Mishpacha orphanage in Odessa.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Ukraine. Our leaders, staff and volunteers continue to work tirelessly to provide support to all those in need.
Together we save lives and restore hope.
