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Keeping Hope Alive:
Jewish Federation Leadership
Travels to the Poland-Ukraine Border
O Courtesy of Jewish Federation of GreaterPhiladelphia
n March 20, the Jewish Federation of Greater
“We were haunted by signs for Polish towns, like Majdanek
Philadelphia’s CEO and President Michael Balaban
and Treblinka, places where our people were tortured and
and board Co-Chair Gail Norry traveled to the
gassed.” Poland-Ukraine border, where more than two million are
Even after returning to Greater Philadelphia on March
pouring in to seek safety and shelter.

23, the heartbreaking stories Balaban and Norry heard from
The two were part of a small delegation of leaders from
survivors remained clear in their minds.

Jewish Federations across the nation to participate in this
One such account was that of a mother and her 15-year-old
mission to assist Ukrainian refugees and gain firsthand
daughter who spent a few days in hiding before making it to
knowledge of the situation on the ground in order to spread
the border. The mother shared how she had to “prepare” her
awareness back at home.

daughter for what to do if she didn’t make it out alive.

Throughout their visit, Balaban and Norry met with agency
“They literally broke into a shelter and slept on a dirty floor
partners who are providing lifesaving services and bore wit-
without electricity, any kind of running water or toilets,”
Jewish Federation of Greater
ness to the immense suffering and pain of these displaced Philadelphia CEO and President Michael Norry described.

Balaban and board Co-Chair Gail Norry
people. Balaban and Norry met with agencies that are using funds
“The level of emotional trauma is unimaginable,” Balaban saw Israel’s flag at the Ukraine/Poland
from the Jewish Federation to help people like this mother
border. recounted. “These are incredibly resilient people. They have
and daughter. Agencies include the American Jewish Joint
survived the unimaginable, and to be put through this again in their lifetime, I can’t Distribution Committee, The Jewish Agency for Israel, World ORT and United Hatzalah.

even put into words.”
“It’s both heartbreaking to see but wonderful to know that through our partners
Balaban and Norry arrived in Poland with a determination to help and 600 we are caring for them,” Balaban explained. “The scope of the refugee crisis is
pounds of supplies for refugees, including food, hygienic products and toys. The ref- immense, but one that we cannot and will not turn away from.”
ugee camps were predominantly occupied by women, children, the elderly and peo-
This mission was part of the Jewish Federations of North America’s ongoing
ple with disabilities, since most men have been banned from leaving the country.

efforts to provide relief aid to the Ukrainian Jewish community, an estimated
“Michael had the best idea to bring some Barbie dolls and stuffed animals, and I 200,000 Jews, that has been affected by the war.

had some chocolates,” Norry explained. “Just to be able to hand a little girl a Barbie
Across the nation, Federations have launched a national Ukraine Emergency
doll and put a smile on her face was something I’ll never forget.”
Response Fund to secure the local community and its institutions, provide tempo-
Poland’s own tragic Jewish history reverberated as they met Holocaust survivors, rary housing, and help Jews make aliyah to Israel, among other goals. As of March
such as a 97-year-old woman who had to flee her home once again. Balaban and 31, the donations have already exceeded $40 million.

Norry also felt their own family histories as they traveled through the country.

“We really had the opportunity to see, unfortunately, the worst of humanity, but
“The drive to the border went through our grandparents’ Poland, once home also the best in the work that we’re doing through our partners,” Norry reflected.

to the largest and most vibrant Jewish community in the world,” Balaban said. “Our dollars are literally saving lives.”
Help keep hope alive for Ukrainian
Jewish refugees. Make a gift at
jewishphilly.org/emergency JEWISHEXPONENT.COM
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