Dear Andy,

As soon as the train departed her hometown of Odesa, Ukraine, Sasha stepped into the unknown and became a refugee — at the age of 6.

When the conflict began, Sasha’s mother Inna quickly realized she wouldn't be able to protect her daughter from the unfolding situation. Forced to flee their beloved home and embrace an uncertain future abroad, Inna and Sasha boarded a packed train bound for Poland with nothing but a few suitcases and a prayer.

Thanks to your generosity, JDC helped Sasha and Inna to make a new home in Warsaw. They received life-saving aid — food, accommodation, and education for Sasha — as well as the warmth of a vibrant Jewish community. Today, Sasha's world revolves around Warsaw's Lauder-Morasha Jewish school, a safe, nurturing place where she learns all about her Jewish heritage — thanks to a scholarship from JDC.

Sasha and Inna's story is just one example of how we're responding to the crisis in Ukraine. More than three years since the start of the conflict, we’re still working with more than 9,000 refugees, helping to integrate them into Jewish communities across Europe. Within Ukraine, we continue to care for over 38,400 vulnerable Jews.

“Sasha misses home. But thanks to this community, she feels like everything will be OK,” Inna told us. “JDC is a bridge to new life.”

With your support, we've built that bridge together — enabling vulnerable Jews in Ukraine and around the world to journey from danger to safety and despair to hope. As we prepare for World Refugee Day on June 20, we thank you for never turning your back on the Jews who need you most.

Gratefully,

Amy Adler

Director of Community Engagement
Global Strategic Partnerships

P.S. Discover the remarkable life of Sasha's grandmother Inga and how she was able to rely on JDC — and you — throughout the Ukraine crisis.