GLOBAL CONNECTIONS

Israeli Cultural Connections

Presented by Beth El’s Israel Affairs Committee

Beth El’s Israel Affairs Committee (IAC) is pleased to share interesting and exciting news regarding developments in business, culture, technology, agriculture, archaeology, cuisine, sports, and the environment in Israel. IAC is dedicated exclusively to the recognition and celebration of cultural and social matters involving Israel. Please contact Tamar Tait at Tamartait@ optonline.net if you would like to plan a program related to Israel.

This edition of Israeli Cultural Connections is presented by IAC member Mark D. Medin who shares his reflections from a recent trip to the Ukrainian border where he witnessed the tremendous humanitarian efforts of Jewish and Israeli organizations on the front lines.

Reflections from the Ukraine/ Poland border

I have just returned from spending the last 36 hours on a Jewish Federation of North America Mission in Poland where we visited the Medyka border crossing from Ukraine as well as numerous facilities for the newly arrived Ukrainian refugees. Following are some reflections and videos that attempt to capture both the heartbreaking reality facing the people of Ukraine (A Future for my Family (vimeo. com)) as well as the inspiring Jewish values of Tikkun Olam being evidenced by the many Jewish and Israeli organizations and volunteers working on the front lines. Of particular pride was the impact of the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) whose visibility, presence and remarkable work was evident everywhere, from the border to the refugee transit center to the numerous hotels and other facilities they have established in Warsaw to provide housing, food, safety, and ultimately an opportunity for the Jewish Ukrainians to make Aliyah to Israel should they choose.

Seeing the actual refugees, almost entirely children, women and the elderly, walking slowly and quietly from Ukraine into Poland with their life’s possessions in a bag or two, and often with a beloved pet, brings to life the horrific and life-changing journey that almost 4 million Ukrainians have made in the past 5-6 weeks (Walking across the border (vimeo.com)).

Once crossing the border, the Ukrainians enter a tent city of humanitarian organizations and services waiting to greet them, and the first flag they see flying next to the Polish flag are Israeli flags representing different Israeli organizations that were literally first to the border and pitched their tents directly on the Polish side of the border fence (Welcomed by an Israeli Flag (vimeo.com)). There are so many volunteers wearing Jewish Agency or JDC jackets, or safety vests with the name of their Israeli organization and a Magen David proudly displayed that you could have believed you were somewhere in Israel. A true moment of pride to see how the Jewish and Israeli community has stepped up and made their support for the refugees so visible. It’s critical to understand that these services are being offered to all refugees, almost all who are non-Jews, and the first large medical tent where so many refugees need to urgently visit is also an Israel based organization taking care of the health of all who enter it. After walking through this long “welcoming area” with dozens of tents where people are able to get a hot meal, visit the many “free stores” set up with clothes, toiletries, toys, dry foods, etc., the refugees are put on buses and taken to a make-shift “refugee transit city” about 20 minutes away set up inside a shopping center that has been fully turned into a refugee welcome and first stop facility (Boarding a Bus to Freedom (vimeo.com)). Depending on a multitude of factors and their personal situation, they will spend hours, days or even weeks here until they figure out what city or country they will go to next. The many stores in the mall have been taken over by humanitarian organizations from countries all over the world, turned into sleeping areas, dining rooms, playrooms, medical center, emigration processing centers, free stores, etc. Once again, with tremendous pride we saw that the kindergarten serving all the kids in the center was being run by young Israeli youth group members (Kids being Kids (vimeo.com)), and the medical clinic serving the entire center was being staffed by Hadassah Hospital doctors and nurses, and there is even a team of Israeli “medical clowns” who have taken their skill at visiting pediatric hospital wards around Israel and are now bringing that same joy and a smile to the many children suffering both physical and psychological issues.

Many of the Jewish refugees who move through this “transit

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city” or who make it directly to Warsaw through other means are then welcomed and housed in a number of hotels that have been rented by the Jewish Agency and JDC where the refugees are first provided safety and security from being on the run or living in a bomb shelter. Others are being housed by members of the Warsaw Jewish community. Beyond this really important psychological welcome and embrace from the global Jewish community, the Jewish Agency and JDC hotels provide them with a room, meals, childcare and educational programs for kids, access to wifi, more “free stores” to acquire clothes, toys and toiletries (including from supplies that we brought with us), and some quite space and time to finally relax and think about what's next in their lives. For those interested in making Aliyah to Israel, the Jewish Agency has a major operation in place to review their documents and work in collaboration with the Israeli government to facilitate them getting to Israel as quickly as possible.

These 36 hours were truly amongst the worst and most depressing experiences of my life, and yet one of the most inspiring as we witnessed the power, motivation and commitment of Jewish and Israeli organizations on the front lines literally doing heroic work on behalf of all the refugees, both Jews and non-Jews.

By Mark D. Medin

Welcoming the Stranger

The question we must all ask ourselves is, “Who helped our family when they first arrived in the United States?” Someone did.

Fortunately, we are in a position to be able to welcome and help settle new immigrants as we were helped.

Many of us care but don’t know how to go about helping. Over the past few years we have learned several things that have eased immigrants newly arrived to the United States, specifically Westchester County, into their new life.

If you would like to get involved just contact us. We’d be pleased to hear from you.

Joyce Wechsler: joywechsler@gmail.com 914-472-6416

Susan Wolman: swolman9@gmail.com 914-633-6991

Here is a list of potential areas of interest where you may want to consider lending a helping hand:

• Employment - search for leads and contacts, help with resume writing, interview practice • Housing -find and help set up • Furnishing - furniture, children’s items, household supplies, T.V., computer, clothing (especially warm items) • Moving Services - for large and small items • Medical Support - professionals who could help • Legal Support • Education - tutoring adults (ESL), school support for children, read to children • Drivers - to necessary appointments, camp, out of school activities, nursery school, grocery shopping • Social - inviting refugee families into your home to share American customs, taking the families to events in the community e.g. zoo, The Blaze, sporting events, the beach, etc., teach shopping skills and the use of public transportation.