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Dnipro Update

In the wake of recent events, the words of my friend echoed in my mind: “My heart breaks twice–once for Ukraine and now Israel.” These sentiments

Passover 2024

In the wake of recent events, the words of my friend echoed in my mind: “My heart breaks twice–once for Ukraine and now Israel.” These sentiments

General March updates

In the wake of recent events, the words of my friend echoed in my mind: “My heart breaks twice–once for Ukraine and now Israel.” These sentiments

Reflecting on five years of leadership

In the wake of recent events, the words of my friend echoed in my mind: “My heart breaks twice–once for Ukraine and now Israel.” These sentiments

Update to website + webinar

In the wake of recent events, the words of my friend echoed in my mind: “My heart breaks twice–once for Ukraine and now Israel.” These sentiments

Meet some of the people you help

In the wake of recent events, the words of my friend echoed in my mind: “My heart breaks twice–once for Ukraine and now Israel.” These sentiments

Two years of war

In the wake of recent events, the words of my friend echoed in my mind: “My heart breaks twice–once for Ukraine and now Israel.” These sentiments

Invitation to Join Solidarity Mission to Israel

In the wake of recent events, the words of my friend echoed in my mind: “My heart breaks twice–once for Ukraine and now Israel.” These sentiments

Dnipro + Israel

In the wake of recent events, the words of my friend echoed in my mind: “My heart breaks twice–once for Ukraine and now Israel.” These sentiments

Ways to help

In the wake of recent events, the words of my friend echoed in my mind: “My heart breaks twice–once for Ukraine and now Israel.” These sentiments

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In the spirit of unity and commitment that marks our community, we are thrilled to shine a spotlight on Dr. Sarah Abramson, Senior Vice President for Strategy and Impact at the Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP). Sarah is a paragon of compassion and advocacy whose career mirrors her deeply rooted commitment to serving those in need.

Sarah’s remarkable journey began across the pond, where she amplified the voices of British Jews with the UK Government as a Senior Policy Researcher for the Jewish Policy Institute and as a representative at the Board of Deputies of British Jews. Her endeavors in London speak volumes about her dedication to advocacy and dialogue.

As we trace her steps back to Boston, Sarah’s transformative leadership at Yad Chessed brought light and hope to many. Her role as the first professional Executive Director propelled the organization from a humble entity to a bastion of support, disbursing over $1.4 million in vital aid to the local community.

After joining the CJP family in 2015, Sarah’s ascent to Senior Vice President by 2017 reflects her capability and steadfast devotion to the Jewish community. Her leadership continues to weave a tapestry of strategy and impact that resonates throughout the organization.

Academically, Sarah’s accolades speak to a keen mind dedicated to understanding and addressing societal nuances. A proud graduate of Wesleyan University, she traversed academic avenues at the London School of Economics, earning dual master’s degrees and achieving a PhD in Sociology. Her lauded and award-winning research spans critical topics from domestic violence to economic challenges, blending academic rigor with actionable advocacy.

Her contributions extend to the realm of holistic care, illustrated by her instrumental role as a chief consultant for an innovative independent living facility for Holocaust survivors in London. Every facet of Sarah’s career reflects a beautiful symmetry of knowledge and heart.

Enriching her life in Sudbury, Sarah is embraced by the love and support of her husband, Steven, and their two beloved children, Amelia and Henry.

We invite you to immerse yourself in the wisdom, compassion, and community spirit embodied by Dr. Sarah Abramson as we honor a journey that intertwines scholarly excellence with boundless heart and advocacy. Let’s celebrate a leader whose roots in community and academia forge a path of meaningful impact and tender compassion in our ever-evolving world.

Igor Schupak stands as a beacon in the exploration and commemoration of Holocaust studies, imbuing the scholarly world with his insightful contributions and steadfast dedication. His leadership role as the Director of the “Museum of Jewish Memory and the Holocaust in Ukraine” and the “Tkuma” Ukrainian Institute for Holocaust Studies is cemented with an unwavering commitment to revealing, understanding, and preserving the past.

With an academic foundation honed with distinction at the Zaporizhzhia State Pedagogical Institute and further polished through intensive Jewish history studies stretching from Moscow to Jerusalem, Igor has carved out a space where historical dialogue breathes and thrives. His defenses of dissertations in 1995 and 2002 at Zaporizhzhia State University and the University of Toronto underline his rigorous pursuit of historical understanding [1].

Since his installation as director at the “Tkuma” Ukrainian Institute in 1999, Igor has meticulously woven his role into the tapestry of the institute’s mission, fostering a space where history is not only studied but also felt. The “Museum of Jewish Memory and History of the Holocaust in Ukraine” in Dnipro, which he co-founded in 2012, is a testament to his devotion and vision.

Igor’s involvement in international dialogues and his membership in committees and boards, like the Ukrainian-German Historical Committee and the Editorial Board of the Institute for Euro-Asian Jewish Studies, reflect his universal appeal and respect in the historical and academic community [2].

His academic endeavors envelop the dark yet vital history of the Holocaust and elevate the stories of the “righteous” of varied nationalities. Igor’s scholarly signature can be found on over 180 academic pieces published across multiple nations. His influence on educational materials, as evidenced by his authorship of 20+ history textbooks for Ukrainian secondary schools, reverberates in classrooms across Ukraine, with his works recommended by the Ministry of Education and Science and achieving a circulation exceeding a staggering one million copies.

The blend of Igor’s profound academic pursuits and his heartfelt commitment to preserving and sharing the histories and memories of those impacted by the Holocaust illustrates a journey both illuminative and inspirational. His dedication resonates deeply, echoing the very ethos of historical preservation and education that defines our endeavors.

Debbie Kardon

As I transition into the role of the first full-time Executive Director of Action-PSJ, I am humbled by the trust placed in me to lead this incredible organization and carry forward the legacy of our founding Executive Director, Judy Patkin. Building upon the experiences and knowledge gained while working alongside Judy, I am excited to embark on this new chapter in Action-PSJ’s journey.

I am deeply committed to upholding the values and principles that have guided our organization since its inception. Judy’s mentorship has instilled in me a strong belief in putting relationships and the unique needs of aging adults at the forefront of our mission. As the first full-time Executive Director, I am dedicated to nurturing these values, fostering a culture of empathy, and ensuring that our beneficiaries receive the highest level of care and support.

My vision for Action-PSJ goes beyond sustaining our current efforts. While honoring the past, I am eager to lead the organization into a future that embraces innovation, growth, and impact. I am passionate about exploring new opportunities to enhance the health and well-being of those we serve, seeking partnerships and collaborations to amplify our reach and effectiveness.

As we navigate the challenges and opportunities of the changing healthcare and social services landscape, I am committed to leading Action-PSJ with an open mind and a willingness to adapt. Together with our dedicated team, I am determined to stay at the forefront of best practices and research, continuously seeking ways to elevate the quality and relevance of our programs.

While we evolve and innovate, we will always maintain the importance of connecting to the Jewish community, tradition, and history. These ties hold significant meaning for our beneficiaries, and I am resolute in preserving and nurturing these cultural connections that enrich their lives.

I am grateful for the support of our board, staff, volunteers, and stakeholders as we embark on this journey together. With their dedication and the lessons learned from Judy’s exemplary leadership, I am confident that we will continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of aging adults and adults with disabilities in the communities we serve in Ukraine.

As I step into the first full-time Executive Director of Action-PSJ role, I do so with deep respect for our organization’s history and a passionate commitment to its future. Together, we will honor Judy Patkin’s legacy while propelling Action-PSJ to even greater heights of impact and service.

Sincerely,

Judy Patkin

After the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Action for Post-Soviet Jewry (APSJ) began its work in Ukraine. APSJ’s first trip to Dnipropetrovsk was in 1993, the year after the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) decided to partner with the Jewish community there as part of the Kehillah Project of the National Conference for Soviet Jews.

We met Rabbi Shmuel and Chany Kaminezki, who represented the Jewish organization, and began to meet other Jews who lived in Dnipropetrovsk. There were around 70,000 Jews in the city, and few had emigrated because the city was “closed” during Soviet times due to

the manufacture of ballistic missiles. The city was heavily involved in manufacturing, as seen by the black smoke rising from factories on both sides of the Dniepr River.

At this point, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (the Joint) did not have an office there. The JCRC and APSJ encouraged the Jewish community to organize under a secular leader, a prerequisite to receiving aid from the Joint. Within a few years, the Joint opened an office and supplied a Jewish library with items like canes, walkers, wheelchairs for invalids, and eventually food packages. Rabbi Kaminezki worked out of the only functioning synagogue, a small, crumbling building used in the early 1900s by the famous Rabbi Yitzhak Schneerson until he was arrested and died in exile.

APSJ began to work with a woman who had held a position in the city’s welfare office and had a list of those in need. On Rosh Hashanah, we supplied apples and cheese for the person who made a weekly milk and bread run for the poorest in the Jewish community. It soon became clear that the poorest were the pensioners and the disabled, who had woefully inadequate pensions. In time, Rabbi Kaminezki’s efforts at providing for the Dnipro Jewish community improved, and the Joint became more active.

Under the guidance of Yan and Tanya Sidelkovsky, APSJ looked to assist other nearby Jewish communities with no rabbi but with many people who needed help with food, clothing, and other necessities. As word of our Adopt-a-Bubbe or Zayde program spread, we added Jewish communities further away.

APSJ now works in over a dozen cities in Ukraine, including Cherkasy, Berdyansk, Dnipro (formerly Dnipropetrovsk), Kamenskoe (formerly Dniprodzerzhinsk), Kharkiv, Kirovograd, Kryvyi Rih, Lubny, Mariupol, Melitoppol, Novomoskovsk, Pavlograd, Poltava, Smela, Uman, Vinnytsia, and Zvenogorodka. Each Jewish community has a coordinator who works with APSJ to identify those most in need, ask them what they need, and purchase and deliver the items. The requests grew from less than 100 pensioners to around 1,500. And requests that used to be met with $5 now require close to $20.