Chabad at the Epicenter of Humanitarian Relief in Ukraine
By Rabbi Yehuda Heber
Due to the recent, most unfortunate world news, tens of thousands of Ukraine’s weary citizens are leaving their homes, forced by a war not of their making to flee toward neighboring Poland, Moldova and Romania, where they are seeking refuge in Europe or boarding chartered flights to safer destinations. Some are not able to leave.
The humanitarian effort to help the people of Ukraine, wherever they may be, did not begin when Russian tanks crossed the border. Ever since word of impending war began months ago, the Chabad-Lubavitch-affiliated Federation of the Jewish Communities of the CIS (FJC) – which serves all Jewish communities in the entire former Soviet Union – has been at the epicenter of an ever-growing humanitarian effort that crosses ethnic divisions, socioeconomic strata and international borders.
Chabad’s Ukraine Relief Fund goes directly to the lifesaving efforts of the FJC and Chabad emissaries in Ukraine, who have also marshaled the support of local and international donors. Funds donated translate nearly instantly into much-needed cash on the ground.
“Literally every dollar that is donated right now is money sorely needed for work taking place as we speak,” said a source close to Chabad of Odessa’s relief work. “We are talking about food, clean water and medicine; we are talking about helping people leave. It’s saving lives.”
For weeks now, Chabad emissaries have been purchasing rice, kasha and other non-perishables, which are being distributed to those in need. Even in cities where emissaries have been forced to leave in the past few days, the aid distribution continues between bombings.
Additionally, Chabad has been arranging flights and buses for thousands of refugees, helping them escape harm’s way. They have evacuated entire communities. The orphanages Chabad runs in multiple Ukrainian cities have been evacuated as well, with the children being transported to Berlin and other European cities.
Although living so far away, there are still things we can do to help the people of Ukraine in their time of need.
Each good deed (mitzvah) done in their honor helps create spiritual energy of protection and blessings. Consider performing an additional good deed in the merit of the people of Ukraine. Helping a neighbor, giving to charity, saying a prayer (recommended Psalms chapters: 20, 23, 120, 121, 130), are some of the ways we can be there for them spiritually while we can’t do so physically.
Additionally, please consider donating to these lifesaving efforts. You can do so through the charity of your choice, or by visiting www.ChabadYorktown.com/Ukraine. (All of the funds go directly to the people in Ukraine.)
We pray for peace! We pray to see the day, when, in the words of the Prophet Isaiah, “…They shall beat their swords into plowshares… nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” Amen!
Rabbi Yehuda Heber leads Chabad of Yorktown.
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