More than a year later, the world witnessed a massive exodus of Ukrainian refugees as Russian tanks and airstrikes launched a full-scale invasion forcing millions of people, many of them women and children, to seek safety all over the world.
Poland sprang into action and accepted more of the war’s refugees than any other nation.
To give refugee families a glimmer of hope and normalcy during this continued onslaught, Chabad of Poland, located in Warsaw, has entered into a joint venture with Mosaic United to host summer programming for more than 200 Jewish Ukrainians.
Mosaic United is a global nonprofit that funds programs that strengthen the connection of young Jews to their Jewish identities and Israel, in partnership with Israel’s Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism.
Israel’s Minister for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, MK Amichai Chikli, launched the program at a special appearance in Warsaw on July 17.
The summer program aims to bring a sense of joy and a meaningful Jewish experience to children traumatized by war. It will also give kids an opportunity to bond with peers experiencing similar challenges and build everlasting friendships.
“In this Jewish refugee summer camp, they will have a chance for both silent, relax…no noise of bombing, no bothers, but time sustaining Neshamah, studying Torah, touring historical Jewish sites…and they will get out of here with a big hope of Am Yisrael Chai…,” said Chabad of Poland Director Rabbi Sholom Ber Stambler. “For our children, the summer is a unique time where we are able to provide informal education focused on Jewish identity, heritage, values, and customs in a more holistic and dynamic way.”
As part of the partnership, each organization has committed to either directly funding or fundraising for a portion of the programming costs, estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. To contribute towards the Chabad of Poland’s campaign, please support >>
“We’re extremely thankful to our partners – Mosaic United as well as Minister Amichai Chikli and his team – for supporting our summer program for Ukrainian Jewish refugees,” said Chabad of Poland Co-Director Rabbi Mayer Stambler. “Our hope is that our program will provide these children with some semblance of normalcy and emotional solace this summer, in a fun and inspiring setting.”
“We’re extremely thankful to Tzvi Sperber and his incredible team at JRoots for helping to facilitate the funding for this program,” he added.
Since the start of the Russian incursion into Ukraine, Chabad of Poland has been on the front lines helping Jewish Ukrainian refugees resettle in Poland and serving as a spiritual waypoint for those resettling in Israel and other nations. Throughout their time in Poland, Chabad’s locally based emissaries have provided Ukrainian Jewish refugees with shelter, food, and religious services.
Chabad of Poland also offers refuge, transportation, kosher food, medical aid, financial and material assistance, childcare, educational and social services, communal activities, and administrative and legal aid to tens of thousands displaced by the conflict. Hence the start of the war, Chabad of Poland has seen its expenses rise by more than US$2 million. For more information or to contribute to relief efforts and make a lasting impact, please support >>
