The last two years have not been easy for any of us due to the pandemic. For a moment, it seemed as if we had overcome this difficult time and could look to a more positive future. But that was a mistake. Not only is the pandemic still not over, but we now have to deal with the current situation in Ukraine and the effects of the humanitarian crisis.

We see thousands of refugees arriving here in Germany every day—mostly older people or women and children who only have what they could take with them in a hurry. It is our moral duty to protect those seeking protection and to help those in need.

The refugees have to be fed and given medical care. In addition, we need to provide psychological care for them, especially the children.

The Jewish communities in Germany and Austria have reached out to the Jewish communities in Ukraine in order to help refugees to get out of the country. Some people do have relatives living in Europe or elsewhere in the world, so they are being helped to get to them. Others have nowhere to go. Those people are being sheltered and taken care of by the communities. Already, thousands have come. and more are on the way.

From the first moment. various organizations got involved in bringing people out of Ukraine and making sure they were being taken care of or could continue their journey to their relatives.

ZWST, Makkabi, Ebenezer, Chabad as well as all Jewish communities in Germany are working toward one goal; to save as many people as possible.

History has shown that the Jewish people have suffered many times from pogroms and had to flee to survive. We understand what it means to lose everything and have to rebuild from scratch. We often needed help in the past and were not given a helping hand every time. Therefore, we are very sensitive when we see people losing everything but their lives. It is in our Jewish DNA to help those in need.

I am proud that so many people are trying to help the refugees and that we could save so many lives. Once we ensure the refugees are safe, we also have to provide shelter, food, education for the kids, psychological assistance, etc.

Not only are various organizations and NGO’s helping, but Israel has also become involved.Israel has installed and operates a full field hospital in Mostyska in Ukraine, and helps every refugee regardless of belief or ethnicity. In addition, Israel sends humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

Furthermore, The Jewish State supports aliyah and has set up contact points at the various border crossings.

Together we can cope with the current refugee crisis, and give hope and a future to those who have lost everything.