Jewish Ukraine Crisis Fund  
JFC-UIA Responds to Crisis in Ukraine

February 24, 2014

Last week, peaceful protests that began in November against strengthening political ties between Ukraine and Russia escalated into violent confrontations between police and protestors across the country. Over 100 people have been killed and more than 1000 injured.
 
The lives of the 300,000 Jewish Ukrainians have been greatly affected by the chaotic state of affairs. The violence taking place in Kiev is causing food and bread shortages in supermarkets, the suspension of metro service and growing fear, especially among the elderly. On Sunday, February 23rd a synagogue in East Ukraine was firebombed.
 
Through our partner agencies, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and the Jewish Agency for Israel, JFC-UIA is dedicated to supporting Jewish life and organizations in Ukraine. JDC and JAFI are on the ground responding directly to the crisis.
 
JDC has activated its emergency response network, ensuring continued home deliveries of food, medicine, heating and cooking fuel and sustained life-saving care at home for the elderly.
 
"Central Kiev looks like a war zone - you see the actual fighting," a local JDC worker told one newspaper. "Many are living in an area where there is violence and cannot leave home...I have seen people here supplying food to elderly clients in areas with snipers and Molotov cocktails. It is real avodat kodesh (holy work)."
 
JAFI has tapped its Emergency Assistance Fund to bolster security at Ukraine's many Jewish institutions, including synagogues, yeshivas and community centers. JAFI has identified these immediate priorities:
•    108 new and upgraded security cameras
•    15 New Cameras with 360-degree monitoring capability
•    5 cement walls with iron gates around kindergarten and other school buildings
In times of crisis, immediate support provided by our partner agencies often literally means the difference between life and death.
 
Please donate to the Jewish Ukraine Crisis Fund and help ensure that this historic Jewish community not only survives but continues to thrive.  
 
100% of all proceeds collected for this fund will be distributed to The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) in support of their direct emergency response work on the ground in the Ukraine.
 
This emergency campaign is now closed.

Click here to donate to Jewish Federations of Canada -UIA today.