Temple Adas Israel in Sag Harbor held a two-week fundraising appeal for Ukraine. The goal was to raise $18,000 — the number 18 is significant as it represents the word for “Life” in Hebrew. Due to the generosity of the community, they were able to double that goal and collect $36,000.
“I know our temple to be a small and tight-knit community concerned not only about its members but the local community as well. The humanitarian crisis in Ukraine disturbed so many of us that we put out a call for donations hoping to collect $18,000 in two weeks to give to a few organizations providing aid. The number 18 represents Chai, or Life, very significant in the Jewish religion. I was floored. We collected donations from over 50 congregants in the first hour. All told, we received over double our goal with contributions from so many. I’m really proud of us,” said Ron Klausner, Co-President of Temple Adas Israel.
The funds were evenly divided between three Ukraine relief agencies. Joint Distribution Committee is on the ground in Ukraine, providing aid to those Jews remaining in Ukraine and the thousands of refugees who have fled to neighboring countries.
Money donated to World Union for Progressive Judaism will be spent on individuals in the Jewish community in Ukraine to ensure their safety and well-being. WUPJ is working to ensure safety, assisting with food, warmth, shelter, security, medical attention, and mental health support while establishing a Jewish refugee center in Poland to welcome families fleeing Ukraine.
Funds raised through World Jewish Congress’s Ukraine Humanitarian Relief Effort will be put to immediate use to support their heroic undertakings, today, tomorrow, and in the many months to come. In addition, as necessary, they will allocate resources to known and trusted relief organizations and agencies. One hundred percent of funds raised will be used for these purposes.
“We have a very active Social Justice Committee focussing on needs in our local community,” said Klausner. “The crisis in Ukraine, though definitely not local, nevertheless struck a nerve in our congregation. Maybe it’s because of the horrors we see on television and online, the parallels between Putin and Hitler, or the fact that so many of us have ancestors who emigrated to America from Ukraine during the pogroms of the early twentieth century. This is an emotional issue for us.”
“So many of us feel so powerless in this war. Yet Judaism teaches us if we save one life we save the world. Hopefully, our efforts raising funds for innocent victims of the aggression can save at least one life,” Klausner continued.
To contact Temple Adas Israel, call 631-725-0904 or email info@TempleAdasIsrael.org. Visit TempleAdasIsrael.org.