Help Jewish Relief Network Ukraine fill vital wartime humanitarian needs
With war continuing to devastate Ukraine and upend countless lives, Jewish Relief Network Ukraine is the largest Jewish humanitarian aid organization addressing needs in the country, and also the most efficient and effective. With virtually no bureaucracy and minimal overhead, every dollar has a direct and immediate impact on people in need.
Their network of leaders, staff and volunteers in Ukraine, backed by supporters from around the world, ensure that 50,000 Ukrainian Jews receive food, medicine, housing, social services, medical care, after school programs for children, and much more.
Prior to the war, JRNU’s efforts were focused on education, social services and religious programs. In mid-February 2022, they pivoted to become a humanitarian rescue and aid organization.
Even before the first missile was launched, they distributed satellite phones to community leaders, positioned food, water, mattresses and other supplies, and had lots of cash on hand. They established two hotlines in Israel, fielding hundreds of requests each day, for food, medical treatment, emergency transportation, and evacuation assistance. In the first few weeks of the war, they evacuated 35,000 people, fed 42,500 people, housed 12,000 people and much more. Throughout the war, JRNU has been the primary source of support for people in need, in more than 250 cities, towns, villages and remote areas.
Within a few months of the invasion, they purchased 150 industrial generators and distributed them to communities all across Ukraine, providing warmth and light to thousands. Those units continue to power schools, community centers, shelters and more.
They also provided tens of thousands of winter survival kits, blankets and winter clothing. In addition to addressing the day to day needs of the people in Ukraine, they are planning for the future, both short and long term, though because of the crisis and with lives at stake, their expenditures have far outpaced their budget.
One current effort to raise funds is through a downloadable digital cookbook of traditional Ukrainian Jewish dishes — if the demand is there, a print version will be produced. In addition to financial contributions, JRNU is looking for contributions of recipes. They can be accompanied by personal stories or photos, and those submitting them can choose to honor or memorialize someone through the recipe. One of the early submissions is a classic Kasha Varnishkes, submitted in honor of Abigail Bloom, who made it for her 12 children in Vinnytsia, which is Birmingham’s sister city in Ukraine.
The cookbook is in four sections — appetizers, entrees, side dishes and desserts.
JRNU partners with leading Jewish organizations, including the Jewish Federations of North America, the Orthodox Union, and International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, as well as other humanitarian aid organizations including Americares, Restoring Vision and World of Giving that contributed millions of dollars of aid products including medicine, eyeglasses, food, and winter survival items.
More information is available online at www.jrnu.org.