Crisis In Ukraine

Our Response on the Ground

The war in Ukraine will create one of the most significant humanitarian crises of this century. While thousands of Jews in Ukraine have fled the country, most of the 200,000 Jewish community is still sheltering within its borders. Because our partner agencies have been working steadily in Ukraine for generations – we’ve been able to be on the ground responding to emergency needs from day one of the conflict. All the aid we’re providing is only possible because of you.

GIVE TODAY


As the needs continue to evolve, here are ways for you to lend your support now and into the future. 
 

Urgent Response

  • Provide uninterrupted welfare services to 40,000 poor, home and bed-bound Jewish elderly and at-risk families including food, medicine, winter relief, and homecare. 
  • Mobilize staff and thousands of volunteers to reach beneficiaries in remote locations across the country and through an emergency hotline. 
  • Assist internally displaced people and refugees in multiple locations, including in Ukraine and neighboring countries. 
  • Secure temporary housing for people in transit. 
  • Help people make aliyah to Israel. 
  • Bolster security at Hesed social welfare centers and other Jewish organizations to allow them to continue operating.  
  • Purchase satellite phones to maintain communication across the region. 

Long-Term Needs

  • Continued overseas relief in Ukraine and neighboring countries by providing medical equipment, securing temporary housing for people in transit, offering food, medicine, and cash, as well as summer camp placement.
  • Integrating Ukrainians, Russians, and Ethiopians into Israeli society, obtaining language translation, and acquiring social welfare services. 
  • Convening various ministry offices in Israel to get all the data to bring them together and inform policy.
  • Facilitating resettlement efforts here in the Bay Area through our partners.
  • Assembling a network of Russian-Speaking Jewish Bay Area professionals on how best to assist refugees.

 

The Jewish Federation’s response to this crisis will support the American-Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Jewish Agency for Israel, and other agencies leading the effort on the ground, in Israel, and in the United States.

Federations have invested millions over the decades to build Jewish life in Ukraine. While some organizations provide immediate relief, we plan to support the Ukrainian Jewish community throughout the crisis and after the war ends as they return, resettle, and rebuild. ​The coordination and volume of the relief efforts are the results of years of our experience, knowledge, relationship building, and fundraising for the Annual Campaign. Donations allow us to move quickly, see areas of greatest need, and determine the best response by having a vantage point to see broad community-wide needs and pivot funding to areas of need as they arise. 

Stay Informed

Woman on bus in Ukraine

Volunteer

Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) is calling on skilled Russian-speaking Jewish professionals. Partners need volunteers for two to four weeks to help:

  • Situate refugees in olim hotels to help those making aliyah
  • Assist in meeting families at border areas of Poland, Moldova, and Romania
  • Implement early childhood programming
  • Provide psycho-social support to families

Sign up to volunteer.

Get Assistance

Whether it's in Ukraine or for information about making aliyah, the Jewish Agency for Israel and JDC have opened toll-free hotlines. Hotlines are available in Hebrew, Ukrainian and Russian.

JDC emergency hotlines

Ukraine: (FSU): +38 094 711 11 104
Bulgaria: +359 89 641 3010 (Hours: 8:00 - 20:00)
Estonia: +372 56 998 880
Germany: (JDC/ZWST): +49 170 3704720
Hungary: +36 30 541 8771
Latvia: +371 22 535 225
Poland: +48-735-33-777
Romania: 40 735 33 7777
Slovakia: +421-977-711-896 (help@uzzno.sk)

Jewish Agency for Israel hotlines (including requests for Aliyah)

From Ukraine
1-800-504603 (Toll Free)
From Israel
1-800-228055, extension 4 (Toll Free)
02-6367714
02-6461447

How To Talk with Children About Ukraine

Many children are hearing about Ukraine on the news and at school, and it is a very heavy topic for them to unpack and process – some may feel fear and uncertainty in their own lives as a result. Listen for a discussion with Bay Area youth educators about how to create safe space for children to ask questions and explore their feelings.

Whenever and wherever there have been threats to Jewish life, the Federation – through our on-the-ground partners – has been there to provide critical aid to help those in danger.