Minneapolis Jewish Federation’s Ukraine Fund Tops $700,000 Mark

Minneapolis Jewish Federation has raised more $700,000 to help Ukrainian Jews since the Russian invasion on Feb. 24. The funds will go to the Federation’s on-the-ground partners: the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), The Jewish Agency for Israel, and World ORT. The money raised is in addition to a $200,000 allocation the MJF board approved to its overseas partners.

“At this very moment, the Jewish Federation of Minneapolis and JDC are saving Jewish lives in Ukraine, helping others evacuate, and sustaining those who have fled. This urgent moment exemplifies the notion that all Jews are responsible for one another,” said Sandy Katz, senior director for strategic relations for JDC.

There are approximately 200,000 members in Ukraine’s Jewish community, which boasts close to 300 Jewish organizations dispersed over some 100 towns and cities. Funds raised will support urgent necessities including community security, temporary housing, emergency needs in Jewish schools, and Aliyah-(immigration to Israel) related assistance.

“The Jewish Agency’s efforts during this crisis are focused on humanitarian aid and rescue operations along the Ukrainian border. We are housing and processing thousands of people who wish to make a new home in Israel. New Olim (immigrants) are arriving daily from various countries along the Ukrainian border. Our efforts will continue as long as necessary,” explained Beth Kieffer Leonard, a member of the Board of Governors and the Chairperson of Budget and Finance for the Jewish Agency for Israel.

ORT has representatives at an evacuation site on the Polish border with Ukraine, which accommodates many thousands of people—mainly children, women, and the elderly. It can take more than 50 hours to cross the border and the current weather conditions are life-threatening with snow and minus 10 degrees at night.

Minneapolis Jewish Federation is part of a consortium of similar organizations across the country under the umbrella of the Jewish Federations of North America. Collectively, they have raised over $20 million.

“The magnitude of the generosity our donors are demonstrating is truly heartwarming,” said James Cohen, CEO of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation. “And it isn’t slowing down. We never hope for crises or for humanitarian disasters, but it is good to know that Minneapolis’ Jewish community can be counted on to step up when lives are on the line.”

To donate to the Federations’ Ukraine Emergency Relief Fund, click here.