Caring For Our Global Jewish Community

The Federation’s Global Fund, in partnership with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), provides humanitarian relief and revitalizes Jewish communities in more than 70 countries.

Revitalizing Jewish life in Eastern Europe

Our JDC partnership is also helping to invigorate Jewish communal life in nations that lived under communist rule by funding programs that build a connection to Jewish life and culture for future generations of European Jewry. We develop future Jewish leaders by training professionals, lay leaders and volunteers through learning seminars, programs, conferences, and crossborder initiatives.

Empowering a new generation of grassroots Jewish visionaries in the Baltics

Jewish communities around the globe need promising young leaders to grow into the vibrant cultural hubs of the future. The Community of Learning — Baltics Young Professional Network is a new pilot program that will provide up to 200 young professional Jews in the Baltics with tools, opportunities, and connections that will further their career goals and, at the same time, provide them with a new connection to Jewish life.

A stirring example of impact in Ukraine through the Federation’s partnership with JDC

In a year characterized by superlative efforts, what Tania, a JDC-supported homecare worker in a rural corner of Ukraine, did for “her people” — as she affectionately calls the couple she cares for — stood out.

Tatiana, who lost both her legs in a long-ago car accident, and Bronislav, who walks with a severe limp, live in the same village as Tania, but Tania needs a moped to reach them on their remote farm. She visits them five days a week, waking at 4am to milk her cows and prepare food for her two children before spending six to seven hours cooking, cleaning, and generally caring for her increasingly immobile clients.

So what did she do this past winter, when the mercury fell to -27 degrees Fahrenheit, and snow and ice made road travel unthinkable? Tania borrowed a horse and sleigh from her brother — and never missed a day. “I could not think not to go,” says Tania, “because they will just starve.”

For 70+ days, Tania filled the sleigh with food, water, and supplies, adding hay and blankets to keep the horse warm while she worked. And, on the five days that her brother could not lend her the horse, Tania walked, for over an hour, in the bitter cold.

Learn more about our Israel and Global Fund grantees.

 

Posted

October 15, 2013

Author

The Federation

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