By COLlive reporter
Leaders of the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) paid a wartime visit to Ukraine to see first-hand the results of their support for the Jewish communities in the embattled country.
They visited the Babi Yar Memorial and met with local government officials, and U.S. and Israeli diplomatic corp.
A highlight of their trip was a visit to Chabad’s Simcha School and Jewish Community Center in Kyiv, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has recently toured as well.
They were greeted by children attending summer camp, many of whom hail from displaced homes and families in need affected by the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War that has destroyed and dwindled many communities.
Today, close to 300 Chabad Shluchim and Shluchos operate in Ukraine and are dedicated to the welfare of Jews. Their work has been coordinated by the Jewish Relief Network Ukraine (JRNU) with the support of the Jewish Federations.
Rabbi Shlomo Peles of the JRNU and Rabbi Dovid Eliezrie, a Chabad liaison to national Jewish institutions, have been working with the Jewish Federations to ensure that Shluchim have the financial support needed for their life-saving work.
“We are proud to be partners with the vital work of the Chabad Shluchim in Ukraine,” commented Eric Fingerhut, CEO of the Jewish Federations.
At the Simcha school, they heard from Kyiv Shluchim Rabbi Motti and Devorah Levenhartz and Rabbi Pinchas and Dina Vishetzksy who relocated their community from the bombarded city of Donetsk.
David Heller, national campaign chair of the Jewish Federations of North America, commented: “We are deeply impressed by the network of Chabad Centers throughout the Ukraine. We are committed to working together to help the Jews in Ukraine.”
The group also visited projects sponsored by other major Jewish groups, the Jewish Agency for Israel, the JDC, the Joint Distribution Committee and Ort.
“Coming to Ukraine at this time is far from easy,” commented Rabbi Eliezrie, who is a Chabad Shliach in California. “The fact that this group of distinguished leaders made the trek during wartime is a testimony to their commitment to the welfare of the Jews of Ukraine during this difficult time.”
As Eric Fingerhut told a local celebration sponsored by the Jewish Agency, “We were with the Jews of Ukraine, before the war, during the war and we will be with you after the war.”
