COMMUNITY NEWS
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia mobilizes
financial and volunteer resources to address the
communities’ most critical priorities locally, in Israel and
around the world.

E Jewish Federation of Greater
Philadelphia Grantee Makes Big
Impact in Ukraine
Romirowsky, chief strategy and impact officer for the
li Beer first saw 90-year-old Holocaust survivor
Jewish Federation.

Mikhael crying in a refugee soup kitchen at the
Although United Hatzalah is based in Jerusalem,
border of Ukraine and Moldova. The stark real-
Beer and his team have been at the border of Ukraine
ity of running from war again was too much to bear.

and Moldova
since the war in Ukraine erupted. At the
Traveling five days to Kishinev, Moldova, Mikhael
border, the
team provides refugees medical treatment,
was exhausted and at a crossroads as to what to do next.

shelter and
food and secures entry permits to Israel
“I told him we’d bring him to Israel,” said Beer,
before flying
refugees for aliyah.

president of United Hatzalah of Israel. “But he was
“Our mission
is to
make sure Israel is safe, but now,
hesitant.” we
cannot stand
by the
sidelines watching this horrible
Despite having family in Israel, Mikhael did not own
human disaster
take place
and not
help,” Beer reflected.

a passport. He also had never left Ukraine.

United Hatzalah of Israel President Eli Beer meets
In the
first three
weeks of
the war alone, United
But Beer didn’t give up. After a phone call with Mikhael, 90-year-old Holocaust survivor from
Hatzalah provided
medical assistance
to more than
Mikhael’s family, spirits rose, and the necessary entry Ukraine.
Courtesy of United Hatzalah
5,000 people,
served more
than 40,000
hot meals and
permits were filed for Israel. The morning after their
helped approximately
1,700 refugees
travel to
Israel. meeting, Mikhael began the journey to Israel with 160 other refugees.

“We are proud to partner with an agency that goes above and beyond when
Similar to Beer’s first encounter, Mikhael was again crying, but now they were
circumstances call for it,” Romirowsky said.

tears of joy as he made his journey to safety.

Now in the second month of war, United Hatzalah and 34 other NGOs have
United Hatzalah has a three-year grant from the Jewish Federation of Greater
Philadelphia, which it uses to train volunteers to save lives in Israel’s southern secured additional funding from the Jewish Federation system’s emergency
region. It is the largest independent, nonprofit and entirely volunteer Emergency response efforts. As of April 18, $50 million has been raised for humanitarian aid
Medical Service organization based in Jerusalem, and is the first on the scene in for Ukrainian residents and refugees. As the war rages on, this additional funding
an emergency when time matters most.

will support and expand United Hatzalah’s lifesaving work.

“It is encouraging to see our local community coming together as part of the
The Jewish Federation supports many organizations, like United Hatzalah, as
part of its ongoing commitment to create deep connections in Israel to ensure national effort within the Federation system, giving generously in support of our
Ukrainian Jewish brothers and sisters,” said Adam E. Laver, chair of the local
safety, security and prosperity.

“Helping fellow brothers and sisters in Israel and around the world in their Jewish Federation’s Emergency Response Committee. “Dollars received from our
time of need, United Hatzalah embodies the qualities that we look for in a part- Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia contributors are supporting organiza-
ner as we work toward our pillars of security and resilience in Israel,” said Kelly tions that are saving lives each and every day.”
The Federation system has raised
$50 million to support refugees
and Jewish communities in Ukraine
and bordering countries during
their time of need.

Funds have been directed to partner agencies such as The Jewish Agency
For Israel, The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, World ORT,
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), Hillel International, The Israel Trauma
Coalition, JCC Krakow, United Hatzalah, and more.

12,100 refugees fed and housed
7,000 refugees received on-the-ground support in Ukraine
5,500+ Jewish Ukrainian refugees arrived in Israel
7,800 beds rented
55,000+ answered calls through various hotlines
20,500 Jewish elderly and children relied on funds
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