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23 February 2024
Two years ago, I watched countless Ukrainians leaving everything behind walk across the border into Poland with unimaginable grief and trauma. I met families seeking some semblance of peace and security facing an uncertain future and needing critical humanitarian support. Those memories have stayed with me ever since, especially as the crisis continues to drag on with no end in sight.
Just as I saw the struggles of these families in the face of a senseless war, I also witnessed some of the best of humanity. Watch the video below to see the incredible response from Jewish communities around the globe — including Greater Washington — in partnership with the JDC, the Jewish Agency for Israel, and thousands of volunteers from across the world.
Today, Federation continues to work with our partners and many others as we help those in need. Our long-standing relationships, decades-long support of Ukraine’s Jewish community, and existing infrastructure enabled an immediate response and allows Federation and our partners on the ground to continue to adapt as needs evolve in Ukraine.
Your generosity has enabled Federation and our partners to continue to:
- Deliver life-saving heating and winter supplies to 29,000 Jewish community members across Ukraine.
- Expand the network of trauma support centers, organize educational opportunities for Jewish children, and provide financial and employment assistance.
- Meet the rising demand for Aliyah (immigration to Israel). Together, we’ve helped nearly 100,000 people immigrate to Israel since the beginning of the war, with thousands more expected in 2024.
- Run camps for Ukrainian youth in the Baltics. The most recent winter camp took place near Uzhgorod, Ukraine, during the last week of December, hosting 80 children aged 13-17 from all over the country.
- And so much more.
Your contributions through our Annual Campaign make this possible and allow Federation to respond to needs around the world in the short and long term.
I am proud of Greater Washington’s continued commitment to assist those in harm’s way. Together, we have helped hundreds of thousands of people survive war in Ukraine and in Israel, natural disasters locally and abroad, and so much more.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership as we preserve and build vibrant Jewish life in our community and beyond.
Shabbat Shalom,
Gil Preuss
CEO, The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington