A campaign is currently underway to raise funds for Rabbi Menachem Mendel Cohen, the shliach of Mariupol, Ukraine, who is receiving medical treatment in Israel following his COVID diagnosis last week.
The campaign, now live at https://helpabrother.rallybound.org/, has raised just over $75,000 of its $200,000 goal.
It is essential that all funds be raised to give the Cohen family the care and support they need to navigate this terrifying time and have the koach to rebuild―without the worry of financial difficulties.
Mariupol was the center of much conflict in the Ukrainian War. Since the outbreak in 2014, the Cohen children have seen their city in ruin and grown up beneath the shadow of fear amidst political upheaval and hunger. Yet, the entire family has been a beacon of help and hope, always going straight to the need, in the times that matter the most.
As people lost their homes, Rabbi Cohen and his family were a source of strength to both Jew and non-Jew alike, offering humanitarian relief to anyone in distress. “Rabbi Cohen was there for me and my family. We’re refugees of the war in Ukraine, and we so appreciate his warm welcome as they helped us settle in and get our lives back together again,” shares Yolia Lukovenko. “He’s a genuine leader and the heart of the community. The rabbi is precious to us, we are worrying and praying for his health, his family’s health and wellbeing, and we eagerly wait for him to continue his mission.”
“His life is fully committed to the needs of the wider Jewish community and he is the address for anyone in need,” adds Mark Berman. “Even when going through such tough times personally, he never stops caring about every Jew in Mariupol. While in the hospital in Ukraine with COVID, Rabbi Cohen was busy caring for sick community members, arranging for medical care and financial help for them.”
Recently on a Tuesday morning, a man broke into the Chabad House during morning davening with an axe in hand with the intention of killing the Rabbi. A nearby security officer’s quick response prevented a tragedy.
Rabbi Cohen’s response to this further challenge to his Shlichus was to begin to look for a permanent building to purchase for a Chabad House. “This response by Rabbi Cohen to look at expanding while facing unbelievable challenges is a testament to the amazing self-sacrifice and dedication he has to the Rebbe, his Shlichus and his community,” a fellow Shliach in Ukraine shared.
Today, his children are not only waking up to the sounds of rockets, but they are waking without their father at home for comfort.
Right now, you can provide safety in uncertainty for the Cohen family. Help a brother by giving now at https://helpabrother.rallybound.org/.
Financial Oversight Committee
Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetzki – Dnipro, Ukraine
Rabbi Alexander Namdar – Gothenburg Sweden
Rabbi Yisroel Silberstein – Chernigov, Ukraine
Rabbi Eliyahu Schusterman – Atlanta Georgia USA
Rabbi Moshe Weber – Dnipro, Ukraine
Rabbi Shlomo Wilhelm – Zhitomir Ukraine
Anyone?
Name
Aharon Menachem Mendel Hakohen Ben Mazal