MIGDAL’S CRISIS RELIEF FUND FOR ODESA AND SOUTHERN UKRAINE
Dear Friends,
As the horrifying wartime reality in Ukraine continues, now we need more than ever to stay strong and united! May 2022 turned out to be especially “hot” in Odesa with 16 rockets striking the city on May 9th “Victory Day”. Fifty missiles are now positioned on Russian warships in the Black Sea ready to strike at any time. The attacks are also coming from Crimea and Caspian Sea and are coupled with aggressive bombardment from the sky and attempts to get closer to entering the city from Pridnestrovie, Koblevo and Carolino Bugaz.
Migdal is one of the very few Jewish organizations on the ground in Odesa today that did not evacuate. We continue our operations with amazing resilience under extremely difficult and dangerous conditions. In between sirens, Migdal’s team immediately responds to multiple emergency needs, while trying to adjust to the situation that constantly changes every day.
Migdal’s team operates 24/7 open hotlines for those who are planning evacuation from all over Ukraine. Our volunteers are now spread around the globe, but they are staying in close touch and continue helping others with everything they possibly can. Massive temporary and permanent migration created an overwhelming number of displaced people. Migdal is now also helping those who migrated to Odesa from other parts of Ukraine in hope to save their lives.
In the midst of rising uncertainty, we are doing our best to sustain Jewish life in the city and the region. Migdal’s Active Jewish Parents volunteers prepared and distributed shalach manot (gifts of food and drink) for Purim to many families. They also delivered numerous gift packages containing matzah, wine, and other food necessary for conducting Passover seders. Families under severe economic conditions received new clothes for their children before the holidays, which was bought and given to them by Migdal’s team.
While dealing with endless wartime emergencies, we continue full operations of our core programs. Migdal ensures excellent Jewish education in person and remotely online, which provides great psychological relief to children and parents. Classes are offered for different age groups, including children from the early childhood development center “Mazel Tov”, teenagers, middle age and older adults. Since the beginning of the war, Migdal’s unique Jewish Museum “Shorashim” was visited by a very diverse group of international journalists from France, Spain, Japan, Germany, Argentina, Italy, USA, Sweden and Switzerland.
Our team also launched a new “Torah-Lunch” program, which is a real antidote to the war that has inflicted severe emotional and psychological trauma. Hot lunches are served during Torah classes, where different age groups can gather to support each other. They can learn and ask questions, give and take advise, laugh and just be together instead of staying alone with their grief and despair. During Israel Independence Day, Holocaust survivors were honored at “Torah-Lunch”. They were very happy and grateful for the opportunity to meet at this heart-warming event in these difficult times.
Despite the hardships we are currently facing, we are working very hard to provide physical and spiritual support to everyone in need. The needs are countless and urgent, and the costs are enormous! Now, more than ever, your help is crucial! For thousands of homebound elderly and Holocaust survivors living with disabilities, humanitarian supplies, medicines and regular contact and care are vital. While we are trying to survive and praying for victory, you can make a real difference and save lives through your immediate help and donation!
