Dear Friends,
As the aggressive war against Ukraine continues, our hearts and minds are consumed with fear for the people. Russia’s flagrant assault is not only an international concern, but it is also personal. There are 200,000 Jews in Ukraine, most of us know people who have family and friends who are hiding in shelters and fearing for their lives.
One person who is dear to all of us is our pianist, Yanna, who has family in Kiev. She speaks with them every day as rockets pummel the city, and for the past few weeks, our conversations before Shabbat services have been filled with a sense of anxiety and dismay.
With no clear way out of this crisis, all we can do is stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people, extend love and support to our friends whose families are in danger, and pray to God that a peaceful resolution will unfold in the days ahead.
While prayers can shift the heart, changes on the ground demand action and funding. To that end, The Jewish Federation is working locally to support the people of Ukraine. The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) have set out to raise $20 million and Houston is looking to raise at least $220,000 toward this goal. Since the launching of this ambitious campaign on Friday, $112,593 has come through donations.
If you are looking for a way to help the Jewish community in Ukraine, please consider contributing at www.houstonjewish.org/ukraine-relief.
Praying for Peace,
Steve