I imagine that, like me, you are watching with concern and horror the unfolding events in Ukraine. We see the terrible destruction of war as Russian missiles hit residential buildings and even hospitals in Ukrainian cities. Scenes of Ukrainians sheltering in subways and underground garages during nightly bombardments remind us of the brave Londoners who did the same during Hitler’s blitzkrieg of 1940-41. We hear how the Ukrainian military is holding their own, confusing and slowing the Russian advance by removing street signs and bombing their own roads. Still, civilians – adults and children – are dying. Ukrainian and Russian soldiers are dying.
Perhaps, like me, you are also worried about the fate of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian President – who is Jewish and the grandson of a Holocaust survivor – who is bravely remaining in Kyiv to fight. Indeed, many of us may also have a lot of “extra” feelings about this war in a country that has a long and decidedly mixed history with the Jewish people. A history of sometimes violent antisemitism on the one hand, and of rich and varied Jewish creativity on the other.
The Hasidic movement was born in Ukraine, beginning with its founder Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer, aka the Baal Shem Tov, and including notable Rebbes Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, Menachum Nachum of Chernobyl, and Nachman of Bratzlav, leaders and teachers who gave comfort and wisdom to their Jewish followers in the poor shtetls of Eastern Europe. In addition, the great Jewish writer, Shalom Aleichem was from Ukraine, as was renowned violinist Isaac Stern, pianist Vladimir Horowitz, Prime Minister of Israel, Golda Meir, singer Sophie Tucker, and Nobel Prize winner Selman Waksman – to name only a few. Some of you likely have parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents who came from Ukraine, bringing with them a mixture of nostalgia for their former home and a sigh of relief to have escaped to America. All of these feelings flood our hearts and minds.
Yet, make no mistake. This war that Putin of Russia has started is a violation of international law. More significantly, it is a larger war on democracy – a war that recently has reached our own shores. I believe it is at our peril to ignore it. The people of Ukraine are fighting not just for their independence, but also for their democracy – and they look to the West for their future.
We pray for peace. And if you are looking for ways to support Ukraine and its people fleeing both inside the country and across its borders, here are some suggestions:
- HIAS
- The International Rescue Committee
- Amnesty International
- The World Union of Progressive Judaism Ukraine Crisis Fund
- The Kyiv Independent Newspaper
- Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders
- Care
- UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)
- International Committee of the Red Cross
- World Central Kitchen
If you know of another worthy organization, please let us know.
In the words of the Prophet Isaiah, “Let no nation lift a sword against nation and let them learn no more the ways of war.”
Rabbi Susan
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