Dear Friends of Keren Hayesod,
Since Russia’s wide-ranging attack on Ukraine, which started on February 24, 2022, Keren Hayesod and our strategic partner, The Jewish Agency for Israel, have been working around the clock to provide critical assistance during this humanitarian crisis.
Thanks to all of you, our supporters from around the world, we have been able to raise funds in support of crucial operations, such as rescue operations that have brought Jewish refugees from Ukraine to Israel, as well as delivering essential goods to refugees in countries bordering Ukraine, such as medicine and other critical supplies.
This week, Sam Grundwerg – World Chairman of Keren Hayesod – traveled to Poland and to the border with Ukraine to meet with our counterparts at the Jewish Agency for Israel, as well as Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs who are working on the ground in Poland, and neighboring countries, to provide life-saving support, with the help of Keren Hayesod.
During his visit, our World Chairman received a detailed overview of everything Israel is doing on the ground in Ukraine and in bordering countries to assist the Jewish people of Ukraine.
We invite you to please watch the important video below, which was taken from a refugee center in Poland in which thousands of refugees pass through each day in hopes of finding shelter, food, and support:
Our work is not done. Each day, the needs increase and change as the situation continues to unfold and thousands more are forced to flee Ukraine in seek of safety. They are leaving behind everything, walking many miles in harsh conditions to find food and shelter.
Keren Hayesod will continue to work together with the Jewish Agency to ensure that every Jewish individual or family fleeing Ukraine can find safety in Israel. We will also work to support initiatives that are helping those who are staying behind.
Thousands of refugees are already being processed by the Jewish Agency for Israel for Aliyah to Israel and some have already arrived. A huge wave of up to 100,000 are expected over the coming months. This is a major Aliyah event for Israel, the likes of which we have not seen since the early 1990’s.
While in Poland, our World Chairman met with Israel’s Ambassador to Poland, Yacov Livne, The Chief Rabbi of Poland, Rabbi Michael Schudrich and the Chief Operating Officer of the Jewish Agency, Yehuda Setton. He also met with Yoav Bistritsky, the Deputy Ambassador of the State of Israel to Ukraine, who gave him a tour of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ situation room and a detailed overview of everything Israel is doing on the ground in Ukraine and in bordering countries to assist the Jewish people of Ukraine.
Alon David, Israel’s special coordinator on setting up Israel’s field hospital, “Magen Meir” – also joined this important meeting.
The safety and security of Ukrainian Jews is our highest priority. No matter where you are in the world, your help is needed now. Please do what you can to give generously and support these critical life-saving efforts and help bring as many Jews as possible from Ukraine to Israel.
As we celebrate the holiday of Purim today around the world and read the Book of Esther, we are reminded of the importance of true leadership during critical moments in history. As Mordechai encourages and says to Esther in the Megillah, this is the time to step up and act, “and who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”
Keren Hayesod has worked hard for over 100 years to be in the position we are now in at this moment, to be perfectly situated to allow us to help. Let’s not waste that.
Just as in the story or Purim, may we work together to turn the current situation upside down and transform these days of sadness and mourning into days of happiness and rejoicing.
