Saving Lives Inside Ukraine // Evacuating Refugees Across the Border // Caring for Refugees in the Region

Through the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), we are providing urgently needed food, supplies, medicine, and other supports in 1,000+ locations in the region, including through 18 Hesed centres supporting Jews remaining in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries. More than 38,723 community members have received help.

Through the Jewish Agency, we are issuing security grants to protect 100 Jewish institutions amid heightened instability and the threat of looting.

We are providing transportation, accommodation, and safe passage to Ukraine’s borders through JDC and the Jewish Agency. More than 26,000 Jews have been evacuated.

Through the Jewish Agency, we are providing food, housing, medical care, psychological care, childcare, and other essential services at six refugee centres to tens of thousands of Ukrainian Jews currently holding in the surrounding countries. As of the end of June, 41,498 new Aliyah applications have been processed.

Across Europe, more than 20 JDC summer programs are giving 800+ Ukrainian Jewish children the chance for fun, learning, and community through the experience of summer camp.

On a mission with Jewish Federations of North America, UJA sent a delegation of four Toronto Jewish community volunteers who donated their time to provide language translation assistance and support for refugees evacuating Ukraine.

While our work in Eastern Europe is focused on the Jews of Ukraine, we are proud that our agency partners ensure that no one is turned away from getting help, regardless of their background.

Facilitating Aliyah (Immigration) // Absorption and Resettlement

Through the Jewish Agency, we are enabling Ukrainian and Russian Jews to make emergency Aliyah through an expedited process. Roughly 29,000 new olim (immigrants) have arrived in Israel, and thousands more are expected.

The Jewish Agency is providing temporary housing of up to 7,000 beds for new immigrants in Eastern Europe and Israel.

Resettlement and Community Integration // Showing Solidarity with Ukraine

Since the war started, 119 Jewish Ukrainian refugees have become clients of the UJA-funded Jewish Immigrant Aid Services (JIAS) Toronto. JIAS Toronto is providing financial assistance, support with orientation, free, and temporary 30-day housing through a partnership with Airbnb, as well as community and professional networking to newcomers fleeing Ukraine.

The UJA-funded Jewish Free Loan Toronto will be providing interest-free loans of up to $10,000 each, with UJA serving as the guarantor, to cover emergency and essential expenses for Jewish Ukrainians arriving in Canada.

This summer, UJA Genesis, in concert with JIAS and Jewish Family and Child Service, mobilized hundreds of volunteers to provide 1,200+ Ukrainian newcomers with free supplies though a new Community Marketplace. Newcomers had access to Service Canada to acquire SIN numbers, and Jewish Vocational Services Toronto for employment assistance. UJA Genesis also secured a grant to continue mobilizing volunteers and supporting Ukrainian newcomers throughout the upcoming year.

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) is convening a national working group of Jewish community agencies to provide a forum for information sharing. CIJA continues to demonstrate our community’s solidarity with the people of Ukraine, including by attending rallies and voicing support in partnership with other Jewish organizations.

The months and years ahead will be incredibly challenging for many displaced families in Eastern Europe. Through the JDC and the Jewish Agency, we will continue to focus on providing trauma counselling, financial assistance, homecare, food, medicine, emergency assistance, employment assistance, and housing.

Jewish life in Ukraine remains very fragile, and those who wish to remain require our long-term support. Via the Jewish Agency, we will support additional security grants to 150 Jewish community facilities to ensure their safety. Through the JDC, we will also provide scholarships for Jewish education, programmatic support for youth centres, technology and online services, and material assistance to revitalize the Jewish community.

We will continue to support Aliyah operations as the conflict continues to evolve, ensuring that any community member seeking refuge in Israel will be able to do so.

A key priority will be to ensure new immigrants can find meaningful employment in Israel. Through the Jewish Agency, we will offer advanced Hebrew language classes and online resources to support refugees. Via the Jewish Agency, we are also supporting a six-month vocational program to enable 2,500 young professionals to move to Israel so they can develop skills and succeed in their careers.

Together with our Jewish social service agencies, UJA will continue to work collaboratively to identify and support the holistic needs of Ukrainian newcomers. JIAS Toronto will remain at the forefront of this effort, drawing on an array of services offered by our network of 11 partner agencies in the GTA. This will include financial assistance, employment, food, housing, counselling, education, children’s programs, and connections to the Jewish community.

UJA Genesis is planning additional Community Marketplace initiatives to mobilize our volunteers in providing clothing and other essential items to newcomers. UJA Genesis will also ensure that Ukrainian newcomers have access to a network of volunteers who can help support their needs as they build connections in Jewish Toronto.