Thousands of Ukrainian Jews are among those fleeing war-torn Ukraine. It isn’t the first time Jewish life there has been abruptly uprooted. Jews were forced to flee due to the Russian Pogroms in the early 20th century. Then during the Holocaust over one million Jews in Ukraine were murdered. Many Ukrainian Jews are Holocaust survivors and certainly most are descendants of survivors.

Right now, Ukrainian Jews form part of Europe’s fastest migration movement in decades. But this time, unlike previous occasions, the Jewish people have a national homeland, a refuge in Zion.

Many Jews have decided to respond to Israel’s invitation to make Aliyah (the term used to describe Jewish immigration to Israel). Over the weekend 100 Jewish refugee children were among those who set foot on Israel’s soil with just the bags they brought from their homes in Ukraine. At this moment, over 8,000 want to leave Ukraine for Israel, but this number is likely to increase.

Will you help CUFI enable these Jewish people reach Israel?

We’re seeing history unfold before our eyes. In Odessa this week, Jewish parents placed their children and the most vulnerable onto buses, expecting the coastal city to be one of the next targeted by Russia. Among them was 91-year-old Maya, a Holocaust survivor whose immediate family were murdered in the Holocaust. She lost her father, mother, brother and sister. She told reporters how boarding the bus brought traumatic memories for her as she likened it to WW2. 

On that occasion, Christians were silent during Hitler’s attack on the Jews, other than a few righteous Gentiles. We must not remain silent again.

Maya, 91-year-old Holocaust survivor

Please will you consider giving your best gift to help Jews who have escaped Ukraine so that they can relocate to Israel. We’re working with our partners by funding the travel costs and other needs and will ensure your donation is used effectively to help the most vulnerable.

Thank you.