Blog

Without doubt, the number of movies and TV shows I have seen through the years has been limited by a personal aversion to heightened suspense (usually exacerbated by accompanying music), as well as a distaste for gore and gratuitous violence.  Thus, as the horrific images revealing the torture, mass killings, and criminal acts perpetrated against Ukrainian citizens in the Kiev suburb of Bucha were broadcast in this week’s news, I – and I suspect I was not alone – could not help but audibly gasp.  The anchor’s warning that the scenes to be shown were not for the faint of heart were most assuredly warranted.  The gruesome disregard for human life has left a pit in our stomachs and an ache in our souls.

In an email shared last week, Eric Robbins, Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta CEO, included a summary of the war’s devastation to date (not including civilian casualties):  

“It is just over a month since the conflict broke out in Ukraine.  Tragically, the situation continues to worsen every day, with nearly 6.5 million people now displaced within Ukraine and almost 3.4 million who have fled across international borders. More than 2 million have sought refuge in Poland alone.  There are still 100,000 Jews in Ukraine.  Over 2,000 Jewish Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Israel, and our partner organizations have received over 8,000 applications for Aliyah to Israel.  We are working with our partners to potentially resettle as many as 100,000 Ukrainians coming to the U.S.”

In his post, Eric also included a compelling personal account of his recent trip to Poland to bear witness to the war’s impact as well as to deliver desperately needed humanitarian aid raised by Atlanta’s Jewish community.  (Read Eric's story here.)  Eric’s experiences, along with accounts from others offering assistance in countries bordering Ukraine, illustrate the heartbreaking realities suffered by hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians seeking refuge and safety.  As we watch this modern-day Exodus unfold before our eyes, our continued support – in whatever way we can provide it - is still desperately needed.  Should one wish to donate to the Ukraine Emergency Fund (our community has raised an impactful $1.5 million to date), click here.

Along with financial contributions, there are also a few opportunities to learn more about the devastating impacts of this conflict taking place at Temple Sinai in the coming days and weeks:

• Shabbat evening services, April 29, 6:30 PM: Fr Bohdan Maruszak of St. Andrew's Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Atlanta will share some personal stories experienced by members of his own family and others who have remained in Ukraine.
• This Sunday, April 10, 4:00 PM:  Shoshana Bryen, Sr. Director of the Jewish Policy Center, will lead an informative discussion in Ackerman Hall - “Ukraine and Israel: A Lesson in Geopolitics.”
• Finally, watch for announcements and requests in future months from members of Sinai’s Refugee Relief Committee who are actively engaged in efforts to offer support to any Ukrainian refugees who resettle in Atlanta. 

Learning, volunteering, donating….  With Passover, our Festival of Freedom, just over one week away, let us do all that we can to demonstrate solidarity with the citizens of Ukraine and help to ensure their flight to freedom is met by an embrace of safety and strength made possible by the prayers, compassion, and support of people throughout the world.