YOUR DOLLARS AT WORK
AUTO ACCIDENTS | SERIOUS INJURY | WRONGFUL DEATH
JDC’s Ukraine Response U
kraine’s vibrant Jewish community is one of the largest in the world, home to an estimated 200,000 Jews. The current situation with Russia (as of Feb. 23) has convinced some in this Jewish community to leave, others to prepare to fight, and placed still others, who are vulnerable and require assistance for daily necessities, in greater need. “The expandJDC volunteer delivers food packages and PPE to a needy Jewish woman ing economic toll of in Kharkiv, Ukraine during the pandemic. Ukraine’s crisis is more insidious than reported, increasJDC, a partner agency of United Jewish ing the suffering of the neediest every Federation of Tidewater, is working around day,” Ariel Zwang, American Jewish Joint the clock to ensure uninterrupted humaniDistribution Committee’s CEO wrote in a tarian aid including food, medicine, winter letter published Feb. 22 in the New York relief, and emergency assistance for the most Times. vulnerable Jews throughout Ukraine — no matter what. This aid benefits nearly 40,000 needy Jewish elderly and poor families in Ukraine. JDC is currently: • Providing food, medicine, and sanitary needy Jewish items; elderly and poor • Preparing its staff and volunteers to families in Ukraine continue to provide aid no matter the circumstances, including through food package delivery, hotlines, and online platforms; Already adversely affected by Ukraine’s • Mapping all of its clients, especially the snarled COVID economy, Zwang said, this homebound, to ensure JDC can reach population has been worse off since tenthem; and sions began simmering on the borders • Coordinating with local Jewish organilast year. zations and partners to ensure a united “Imagine what inflation feels like to emergency response. the poorest pensioner living on $2.40 per JDC says it is leveraging its vast presence day when utility prices are up by 20 to 30 on the ground and past experience from the percent and food items like sunflower oil 2014 Ukraine conflict and ongoing COVIDand sugar are up by 57 and 61 percent. 19 pandemic to address a variety of possible They’re left with a painful choice between emerging needs, including displacement. food, medicine or heating during the “Whatever happens in the hours and harsh winter,” continued Zwang. days ahead,” wrote Zwang, “the poorest will This mounting economic crisis adds to still face an enduring battle for survival.” the pandemic’s lasting financial toll, catapulting the most vulnerable into renewed JDC is a beneficiary of UJFT’s Annual risk and suffering. Campaign.
Create a Jewish legacy for the community you love through planned charitable giving . . .ask us how
40,000
Ron Spindel
rspindel@spindelagency.com
a member of The Frieden Agency
Jody Balaban
jbalaban@spindelagency.com
Chris Lyon
christopherlyon@friedenagency.com
INSURANCE. EMP LOYEE BENEFIT S.
757-340-5600
277 Bendix Road, Suite 500 • Virginia Beach www.spindelagency.com LIFE INSURANCE • LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE • GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE • MEDICARE jewishnewsva.org | February 28, 2022 | JEWISH NEWS | 5
