It has now been over three years since the war in Ukraine began. While we rightly focus our attention on our brothers and sisters in Israel, we must also remember those in Ukraine, whose lives are shattered by trauma.

An estimated 30% of Ukraine's population is experiencing deep psychological scars. Families have been torn apart, and lives have been indefinitely disrupted by constant shelling, power blackouts, and a pervasive sense of uncertainty. Both children and adults suffer from mental health crises, exacerbating the already overwhelming burden.

Jewish Federation partners with remarkable global organizations, such as the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), to create and sustain a vital lifeline for the Jewish community in Ukraine. With your support, Federation focuses its efforts on Assistance for Displaced Persons (ADP), Trauma Support, and Active Jewish Teens (AJT).

Jewish community members gather at Chesed centers—similar to American JCCs—where they receive essential supplies and assistance. Members then prepare and distribute food, medicine, and other critical resources to vulnerable Jewish individuals enduring devastating conditions throughout Ukraine. While many young Ukrainians have fled to Israel, older residents have remained, often stranded in their apartments and fully reliant on the community for sustenance and medication. Some are physically unable to leave their homes, making the volunteers who deliver food and medicine the only faces they encounter.

Before the war, Yana and her family enjoyed a comfortable middle-class life. When the war began, they lost everything—jobs, security, and stability. They fled to Kharkiv, thinking they'd be gone for only a few weeks. A year later, they returned to find 18 dead bodies in the street, realizing they couldn't return until the war was over. Yana says the situation "rips your soul out."

Yana, who grew up watching her father—a World War II survivor—suffer the long-term effects of trauma, knows firsthand that the scars of war last a lifetime. Now, she worries about the long-term impact of the war on her children and their future.

Since the war began, Federation has assisted over 6,000 people like Yana through the Assistance for Displaced Persons (ADP) program. The war’s toll leaves deep psychological scars that can plunge individuals into profound depression, creating mental anguish that persists long after the fighting ends.

Trauma centers have established therapeutic programs for individuals and groups, both in-person and online, reaching thousands of children and adults. These programs help people cope with depression and the overwhelming sense of loss. Since the war began, the Federation has supported over 3,500 individuals through these trauma centers.

Our community also helps Jewish teens find purpose and meaning amid the chaos through the Active Jewish Teens (AJT) program. This network fosters leadership development and empowers teens to help others, shifting their focus from their own trauma to building resilience in their community. Teens involved in AJT become madrichim (counselors), mentoring younger teens and helping them to navigate the chaos around them.

At just 10 years old, Kataryna Vozianova first learned about Judaism and Jewish community at a JCC summer camp. Ten years later, as a teen worker, she now helps build community for others. Kataryna says, "I don't make many plans because I may not wake up tomorrow." Amidst the daily struggles of caring for her family and maintaining hope, she has dedicated her life to AJT. Teens in this program have a safe space to gather, despite frequent blackouts, with generators providing heat and light. They can socialize, do homework, and engage in volunteerism to support their communities. In addition to trauma support and medical care, the program offers teens a sense of control in an otherwise uncontrollable situation. Kataryna looks forward to the day when the "sun can finally shine."

When the war eventually ends, our work will not be over. We will need to rebuild homes, rehouse displaced individuals, and continue providing vital care and trauma support for a community that has endured unimaginable hardships for over three years.

On the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine, while we stand with Israel in its time of need, let us not forget the incredible Jewish people in Ukraine who continue to fight for their community's survival and dignity. We are honored to support their journey and will never forget them.

Thank you for partnering with us to fund these critical programs.