Polish Jews and their descendants throughout the world are watching the events unfolding in Ukraine with alarm for the people of Ukraine, Jew and Gentile, who are under attack. In Poland, we have received more than 500,000 of the one million of the elderly, women and children fleeing a war cynically instigated by Putin and his militant regime.
The Beit Polska federation of Progressive Jewish Communities in Poland is located in central Poland and we are making ongoing efforts to assist our brethren from Ukraine.
As the Refugee Week Shabbat nears, we invite you to participate in Friday night services on March 4 emanating from an underground bunker in Kyiv, Ukraine. Express your solidarity for the Ukrainians and Ukrainian Jews by signing into the services which will be led by Rabbi Alexander Dukhovny, a primary leader among the 43 Progressive Jewish congregations. Use this link to these services (then Click the Zoom button to join the service) starting at Noon EST and 9 am PST (7 pm Ukrainian time). You will be listening to a service in a language that you are not familiar with, but please post words of care and support. Please, be aware that war-time conditions may interrupt the internet connections and that the program is in Ukrainian language. The Ukrainian Jewish community would be heartened by you connecting with them.
Secondly, you can join Beit Polska in reaching out to Jewish refugees by providing kits we have called Shabbat-in-a-Bag, with fresh baked challot, Shabbat blessing in their language, ritual objects and a voucher for some basic items. Soon we will offer simple Shabbat evening meals and the fellowship of meeting new friends around the table. When we can, we will mobilize professional and informal help to counsel and console.
Friends of Jewish Renewal in Poland (FJRP) is disseminating information and accepting donations to fund ongoing programs to assist and support the refugees. Securely contribute here.
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