Over the past 25 years, courageous individuals rebuilt the Jewish communities in Ukraine and established many critical institutions including the Mishpacha Children’s Home in Odessa and the Alumim Children’s Home in Zhytomyr. Both Mishpacha and Alumim provide loving and stable environments for kids whose families are unable (or unwilling) to provide them care and support.
In February 2022, both Mishpacha and Alumim made harrowing journeys to ensure the safety of their kids: Mishpacha loaded over 100 children and staff on buses headed for Berlin Germany, while Alumim flew 90 children and staff to Israel where then Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, promised, “You are safe now, you have reached safe shores.” Sadly, that turned out not to be the case.
Today, more than 2 ½ years later, these children remain in danger and in need. The Mishpacha kids returned to Odessa because the cost of staying in Berlin was not sustainable, and the Alumim children were forced to relocate several times as they fled the attacks on Ashkelon, Israel last October. Fortunately, both groups of kids continue to receive support for all their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, at a significant cost; Jewish Relief Network Ukraine (“JRNU”) has provided substantial funding, every step of the way.
Winston Churchill once said, “fear is a reaction, courage is a decision.” In February 2022, there was certainly fear among the rabbis and other leaders in Ukraine; they made the decision to be courageous. They have continued to protect and care for the children in their charge, even at great risk to themselves and their families. The children themselves faced challenges with strength, courage and dignity. To be courageous in a moment is admirable, to be courageous day after day, week after week and year after year is truly heroic.
As the tragic situations in Ukraine and in Israel continue, donations have diminished. Please help us continue to provide for the children. The money will allow us to make the upcoming High Holidays special for the kids, as well as ensure they have warm clothes for the winter. Your donations will go directly to the Mishpacha and Alumim children’s homes. |
