The work of Action-PSJ and our many partners both here and in Ukraine has never been more needed. Just like your support. Please read below and take action. Praying for a cease-fire.
Greetings: Action-PSJ work continues IN Ukraine. Our primary focus continues to be assisting elderly Jewish Ukrainians. Bravely, all of our network of volunteer coordinators have stayed in Ukraine. They face unimaginable challenges to ensure their own and their family's well-being while living through a war. They still take time to check-in and care for our elders. While they remain in Ukraine, so do we; committed to supporting them and the elders they serve.
Your generosity and support help us do this work.
On-the-Ground Reports For context:
We have three cities in the south surrounded or invaded by Russia: Berdyansk -least affected, and we are frequently in contact with the coordinator. Mariupol-- so worried--no contact in over a week. And a large number of elderly --around 70. Melitopol-- We lost contact with the coordinator almost a week now-- though occasionally we can see she is "live" on WhatsApp.
Regular communication channels in these communities are either shut down or unreliable. Yet, at 3 AM this morning, I woke up to this note from Ella--Action-PSJ's Ukraine program director who is on the ground in Dnipro;
I have good news: I managed to get through to Inna (Action's Community Care Coordinator) in Melitopol in the morning! This is just a miracle! Because they do not have a connection and the Internet. But she was walking down the street, and probably in this place there was a "coverage" of a telephone operator, and at that moment I called! Inna said that I was the first one who could contact her. Chesed ( A program of JDC) continues to work there. The Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine somehow managed to transfer money to them, and volunteers travel to nearby villages, buy vegetables and products, and deliver to the homebound and needy. Since there is no food delivery in the stores and what is left can only be bought with cash. And people don't have cash anymore. I sent Inna money. We hope that they will be released very soon, and she will be able to use this money for herself and for her charges. All the best! Ella
Inna K Melitopol Community Care Coordinator
This is the work we can do with your support.
Our care coordinators provide a lifeline to an elderly person who is homebound, and now surrounded by bombs and gunfire. They have lived with food insecurity for years, and now during the war, they have little food and don't have the cash to purchase what little food is available in the markets. Then a neighbor appears, bringing food, supplies, and support.
You Can Help Donate and encourage your family and friends to donate- we need to be prepared for any and all needs both now and in the long term.
Shop for Action-PSJ's emergency supply list. As needs emerge we add items. We have been asked to create and send activity kits for children and the elderly. This would make a great family or community project.
Reach out to your legislators. See this campaign from the Jewish Federation and be sure to mention the need for an immediate cease-fire and SAFE Humanitarian Aid corridors. Continue to advocate that the home-bound elderly are included in evacuation plans.
