This crisis has many dimensions and will evolve in ways that cannot be predicted. Even as I share this, news reports are suggesting a shift in the war that would affect relief efforts. Nevertheless, there are two things we can say for certain.

First, the consequences of this war will be felt for years to come. Second, the organizations and philanthropy of the North American Jewish community are an essential component of the response. Significant sums have already been committed to this relief effort, and it is clear that much more will be needed. We have done an outstanding job in our community of collecting funds, and 100% of every dollar has gone to support our partners on the ground.

We are beginning to receive Ukrainian refugee resettlement protocols, and we will be able to offer coordination, support, and resource sharing when more information becomes available.

The very first contingent of Russian-speaking Jewish professionals from North America arrived this week to provide translation services and humanitarian assistance. To volunteer for this program (please note that only those who speak Russian and/or Ukrainian are being selected at this time), click here.

Here's what we know now:

• The emergency allocations from Federations to American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and the Jewish Agency For Israel represent about half of the over $40 million in emergency funds that Federations have raised and committed in the past month. Federations have made emergency grants not only to JDC and the Jewish Agency but also to many other organizations doing vital, life-saving work on the ground, including Chabad, World ORT, Hillel, United Hatzalah, Hadassah, HIAS, Shma Yisrael, and the Israel Trauma Coalition.

• We are sharing regular updates on all of this work on Mondays and Thursdays from 4:30–5:00 pm EST. All are invited to join these conversations.

• The Jewish communal response to the war in Ukraine is already strong, rooted in our Jewish values, and built on the foundation of our community’s work year in and year out. This is a situation that calls for us to marshal the power of the Jewish collective to make a transformational difference in individual lives and in the history of our time.

Thank you again for your prayers and partnership,

Carin Savel
Chief Executive Officer
Federation for Jewish Philanthropy of Upper Fairfield County