Please Help Me as I Join a Mission to Poland to Help Ukrainian Refugees
Rabbi Michael Z. Cahana
Like you, my heart has been breaking as we watch videos and news reports from Ukraine. As their country is under attack from the military of Putin’s Russia, the Ukrainian people have shown remarkable courage, conviction, and commitment. Although greatly outmatched in the machines of war, they continue to bravely fight the invading army to a standstill. But the oppressors have created a horrific humanitarian crisis by bombing civilian residences, shelters, and escape corridors. Families are torn asunder as Ukrainian women, children and the elderly flee within their country and over their borders.
Like you, I want to help.
Among the institutions providing care and relief for these war refugees has been the Jewish Community Centre of Krakow, Poland. Under the direction of Executive Director Jonathan Ornstein, the JCC Krakow has pivoted to be a collection and distribution point for food, medicine, hygienic supplies, toys and clothing. An average of 300 Ukrainians a day are coming to take whatever supplies they need and are met by Ukrainian speakers who welcome them and offer assistance. They are also sending pallets of supplies to other locations in Krakow, to the border and inside Ukraine. They are providing direct housing and food for over 200 Ukrainians a day and transportation for those who are traveling onward to Europe and Israel. The JCC Krakow is currently spending $10,000 a day on these efforts.
On April 10-14, I will be joining a mission of over 25 Reform Rabbis to assist those relief efforts at the JCC Krakow. My son, David Cahana, will be part of the delegation as well – as he has extensive experience in providing direct care to the houseless here in Portland and in Ann Arbor, MI where he now lives. Our mission is to help relieve the volunteers who are providing life-saving services to refugees and to be witness to the human tragedy unfolding in Europe at this moment. I plan to provide updates from the field on what I see.
And, I plan to bring items and funds donated from our community.
An extensive list of needed supplies has been sent to the rabbis of the delegation. I have been assigned to bring baby formula, disinfectants, and antiseptics. Congregation Beth Israel will be collecting donations of these items for me to carry. We are working with the airlines to waive excess baggage fees so these items can be delivered by hand. Please bring all donations to the CBI Main Office by Friday, April 8—and if you plan on bringing a significant volume of these items, please call (503) 222-1069 and give us a heads-up so that we can best plan ahead.