Kabbalat Shabbat Drash: Rabbi Yael Splansky
Friday, March 18, 2022
Know your Enemies. Know your Heroes
JIAS Passover Supplement: Connect Passover with Refugees Today
This year as we recall the story of the Israelites fleeing Egypt in search of freedom, we will be thinking of the millions of Ukrainians who are enslaved by war and violence – including the 200,000 Jewish Ukrainians who are either in danger or displaced. The crisis in Ukraine compounds an ongoing and fast-growing world refugee crisis of catastrophic proportions. Almost 30 million people around the world have been forced to flee their country of origin in pursuit of safety and basic human rights. The JIAS Toronto Passover Supplement provides stories of 21st-century refugees, reminds us that we too were once strangers in a strange land, and challenges us to think about how we can help “welcome the stranger”.
JIAS is at the forefront of providing services that help immigrants and refugees on their own journey to freedom today. Click here to download the JIAS Passover Supplement and be part of this effort.
Many are asking where to give to provide direct support to the millions in need of our support. Please consider these worthy partners. Your tzedakah will make all the difference to one child, one family, one congregation, one town.
United Jewish Appeal (UJA – Toronto) https://jewishtoronto.com/crisis-in-ukraine — in partnership with the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and the Jewish Agency, these funds will provide humanitarian relief of food medical care, security, and temporary housing to the people in Ukraine and in her bordering countries.
Jewish Immigrant Aid Society (JIAS – Toronto) — preparing to sponsor and resettle those who wish to move to Canada https://jiastoronto.org/ukraine-crisis-update/
Jewish National Fund – (JNF – Toronto) — has been called upon for a special project to support and resettle 100 Ukrainian Jewish orphans who have recently arrived in Israel https://jnf.ca/support-ukrainian-orphans-in-israel/
World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) — There are eleven active Reform congregations in Ukraine. The World Union is part of a network providing on-the-ground relief for our sister-synagogues, securing their buildings, their Torah scrolls, and providing safe passage for their elders, women and children. https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/m/70527/donation
B’nai Brith Canada is preparing containers to send to Ukraine to provide humanitarian assistance and necessities. They are collecting clothing, blankets, hygiene products, flashlights and batteries, shoes, toys, backpacks, and other such essential items. Drop-offs are Sunday, March 20 and March 27, 11 am-2 pm at the Promenade parking lot beside LCBO. For more information, see https://www.bnaibrith.ca/eventssa/donate-for-ukraine/
JIAS will be hosting an information session titled “Ukrainian Newcomers – How You Can Help” on Tuesday, March 15 at 7:00 PM. They will discuss ways that individuals and groups can help welcome and support newcomers fleeing Ukraine. The link to register is here: Register online here.
Ukraine Crisis Fund
Holy Blossom Temple stands in solidarity with the Jewish communities of Ukraine and prays that peace and calm will swiftly be restored to the region. The World Union for Progressive Judaism (the worldwide Reform movement) has established this emergency fund to support and protect our sister congregations at this time of distress.
Please be generous. https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/m/70527/donation
עוֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָיו
הוּא יַעֲשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם עָלֵינוּ
וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל
וְעַל כָּל יוֹשְׁבֵי תֵּבֵל
וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן:
May the One who causes peace to reign in the high heavens cause peace to descend on us, on all the People of Israel, and on all inhabitants of the world, and let us say: Amen.
Watch the captioned video of the meeting with our Ukrainian congregations, and learn more about the region and how we can support our Progressive congregations there.
Like you, we are observing the situation unfolding in Ukraine with horror and grave concern. To demonstrate our support for our Ukrainian-Canadian neighbours and the people of Ukraine, we will issue the following statement on Friday.
The Jewish community of Canada stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and our friends and neighbours in the Ukrainian Canadian community during these horrifying times. Canadians have been appalled by the ongoing aggression against Ukraine and the devastation that has resulted, and we encourage our fellow citizens to remain steadfast in their support for Ukraine’s fight for freedom. We call on the Government of Canada to do everything in its power to push back against Putin’s belligerence, protect the Ukrainian people, and, in the name of democracy, do what is required to defend the sovereignty of an independent and democratic Ukraine.
We stand with Ukraine.
As a leader in Canada’s Jewish community, you are invited to add your organization’s name. To sign, please click the link below by 9:00 AM Eastern on Friday, March 11, 2022.
