Shofar Foundation in the Former Soviet Union

Today, throughout the former Soviet Union, thousands of Jewish people are subsisting in incredibly desperate situations.  Many are survivors or the Nazi Holocaust of World War II.  Multitudes are facing persecution being denied jobs, housing, food and medical care. Shofar Foundation is dedicated to giving humanitarian aid. 

The dramatic changes in the Former Soviet Union (FSU) countries have increased the suffering of the Jewish people, leaving them without the basic necessities of life. A vast majority of them live on the verge of poverty and social services and benefits have been scaled down or phased out completely. Refugees, the elderly, pensioners (including many Holocaust and Ghetto survivors), widows and orphans are particularly hit hard by the new social realities. Workers and pensioners often have not been paid for months. They have no money and perhaps can only afford one hot meal every two or three days – winter months are especially difficult.

COMFORTING HIS PEOPLE

Soup Kitchens: Everyday help by operating soup kitchens, distributing food and medicine and giving out clothing to the needy Jewish people and others from the main operation centre in Krakow, Poland. Doing Tzedakah (charitable acts) is a fundamental Jewish, as well as Christian principle. Thousands of Holocaust survivors are living our their final years in terrible conditions, lacking food, adequate housing and warmth, clothing and medical help.

In Moscow, through Chevra co-ordinators, during the winter months more than 30,000 people were helped through donations from various supermarkets in the city. There is a possibility to receive storage facilities that are much needed.

Can you imagine what it must be like to live in poverty with little or no money? Losing hope, sitting in a cold room without even having essential food, you lose your sense of life and dignity. Through your help, Shofar Foundation helps to bring back this dignity to the poor. Co-workers in the FSU have developed large scale programmes to respond to the vast needs around them.

Along with other international groups, our support enables regular distribution of food, clothing, shoes, household items and medical aid with direct help to the needy as well as relief aid to victims of local disasters. Distribution of food to the needy is possible, where thousands receive food parcels on a regular basis and tens of thousands periodically in Eastern Europe and the Far East of Russian.

In many FSU countries there are soup kitchens for Holocaust survivors, the elderly, widows, orphans and other families. A food parcel project called “Parcels of Love” has been started where Jewish people receive parcels varying in weight from 6.5kg to 10kg each containing a selection from: flour, pasta, sugar, butter or margarine, juice containing essential vitamins and nutritional elements with vitamin C; special parcels for babies, children and diabetics are put together.

During wintertime Jewish organisations and communities receive 40kg of potatoes and vegetables. Some recipients, who are on “emergency lists” receive them on a monthly basis and others from time to time. Numbers of “emergencies” are escalating. Assisting with medicine and medical supplies, electricity, heating equipment and other utilities for the needy are vital.

In special situations, our partner organisation delivers necessary supplies for orphanages, boarding school dormitories, homes for the elderly, hospitals etc. As the aid comes in so it is distributed.

Searching and advising the Jewish communities in rural areas of the opportunities and needs of emigration that leads to advice and obtaining assistance on arrival in Israel. Direct help and support for those endangered with strife and social degradation in organising children’s summer camps with health rehabilitation, particularly for children affected by the Chernobyl disaster.

For the “street children” support is given to local organisations feeding and helping to educate these “at risk” ones. Holocaust survivors who have suffered so much receive rehabilitation and health improvement help and some stay in health resorts where they obtain professional medical treatment. Those who are bedridden are visited at home and assistance given for free dental and ophthalmologic services. In Israel some homes for the elderly are designated for survivors of the Holocaust.