To our CRC Community,
As we watch the events unfold in Ukraine as millions flee their homes from Russian attacks, our hearts break together. We all are searching for meaningful ways to act on our prayers for peace and justice, and we’ve collected a few opportunities here that we have learned of from partner organizations for how you can help.
A Clayton High School alum is holding a donation drive:
- CHS Alum Benjamin Evra (Class of 2020) is spearheading a donation drive to aid families in Ukraine. Evra’s dad is originally from Ukraine and immigrated to the St. Louis area in the mid-1990s. Ben’s family, which includes siblings who are currently attending Clayton High School, Wydown Middle School, Meramec Elementary School, and the Family Center, have relatives in several besieged Ukrainian cities. With the help of MEEST, an international shipping company that delivers humanitarian aid directly into Ukraine, Ben is raising money and donations for the millions of people affected by the war. All donations will go directly to help families who have not been able to leave their native city in Ukraine. Donation bins will be located in the front offices of all Clayton schools from Monday, April 11, through Tuesday, April 19. Here is a list of the items most needed that are being collected. Families who are interested in providing monetary donations can find those details here.
Locally, our local Jewish Federation of St. Louis has this opportunity:
- Donate: Jewish Federation of St. Louis has established an emergency fund in support of the work of our global partners who are responding with critical services on the ground. This work is urgent! From the Talmud we learn, “whoever saves one life, saves the entire world.” Donate here.
Tru’ah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights has provided a few ways we can take action:
- Give to reputable organizations. HIAS is increasing their efforts to resettle refugees from Ukraine. Give here to support their emergency efforts. Timothy Snyder, a Yale historian who specializes in this region, offers the following suggestions for donations to assist civilians and reporters. (Note: We received this suggested list from Tru’ah.)
- Take Action: Ask the Biden administration to keep Ukrainian families together. Ukrainian refugees should be able to reunite with family in the U.S. rather than wait in limbo with temporary protection in Europe. Now is the time to live up to our value of welcoming people in their moment of need. Take action via HIAS.
- Learn more about the region. Tru’ah recommends Timothy Snyder’s book, The Road to Unfreedom, for understanding Putin’s goals, as well as Masha Gessen’s The Man Without a Face and Surviving Autocracy for understanding Putin.
- Find comfort in and share this prayer for peace written by Rabbi Nathan Sternhartz of Nemirov in the spirit of his teacher, Rabbi Nahman of Breslov, both of whom lived in a region that is now part of Ukraine.
We continue to pray for justice and peace for the Ukrainian people, and all those fleeing their homelands for safe refuge.
With love,
Central Reform Congregation
This was last updated 4/13/22 by Autumn Dennis.