Sinai’s Ukrainian Refugee Project

The Temple has always stood for compassion and supporting those in need. In response to the war in Ukraine, our Temple’s Welcome Circle (WC) and core group of 40+ volunteers are driving the sponsorship of a Jewish Ukrainian refugee family’s resettlement in the U.S.  

Our WC has been working through HIAS (founded as the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society). Like it did over the course of the 20th century, HIAS continues to play an important role in offering hope to displaced persons.

“Our family arrived in Munich in the fall of 1945, after crossing two borders illegally, as Displaced Persons (“DP”). My Father contacted HIAS, where Rabbi Bloom was in charge of trying to help the DP’s from many countries. Rabbi Bloom and his American team had difficulties communicating with the DP’s from many countries, and when the Rabbi met my father, a lawyer who spoke 7 languages, he invited him to join in the organization of the service. Father joined HIAS, and after the organization was set up, and the first transports of the DP’s were on the way to the US and other countries, HIAS sponsored us to the United States.”

~ Selma Rossen, Sinai Past President

Thanks to the efforts of HIAS, other local synagogues, and so many donors and volunteers, Michael, Svitlana and David Tkach were reunited with their extended family in America.  The entire Tkach family now has a chance at a new life far away from the horrific war. 

Tikkun Olam and tzedakah are at the core of this multi-generational project.  For our work sponsoring the Tkach family, in August our congregation received HIAS’s 2024 Pathway Leadership Award.  2024 was the first year HIAS bestowed this award and we can all be proud to be among the first congregations to receive it.

Click here to make a monetary donation.

If you are interested in volunteering for any of our sponsorship committees or wish to make a donation towards the Tkach family’s support, contact  Eric Barr or Ian Singer.

• Housing & Basic Needs
• Benefits & Healthcare Needs
• Welcoming & Local Orientation Needs
• Education & Language Needs - WE NEED UKRAINIAN/RUSSIAN SPEAKERS
• Employment Needs
• Documentation & Legal Needs  
   

Together we can give them hope and a chance to rebuild their lives.  

Hillel, the renowned first-century scholar said, “If not you, then who?  If not now, when?”  His inspirational words are especially relevant today. 

Welcome Tkach Family to the United States

David enjoying books at the Springfield Public Library - thank you Bonnie Lafazan for helping to get the family library cards