The pandemic ushers in a new era for Jewish philanthropy

Jewish communities and organizations, including social initiatives, have faced significant financial and logistical challenges due to the pandemic. Nevertheless, many are intensifying their efforts to foster community solidarity and support individuals during these difficult times.

Irina Shcherban, head of the Moscow Jewish Community House and the Association of Jewish Community Centers of the CIS, discussed the activities of the Sheket program, which assists deaf and hard-of-hearing Jewish individuals, and the Integration social project for children with special needs: “Amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, many of our sponsors have been unable to fulfill their donations, forcing us to take emergency measures to support individuals, many of whom belong to high-risk groups. We have received emergency financial aid from the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, and we are being assisted by students from the Russian Union of Jewish Students (RUJS) as well as other volunteers. Psychologists and social workers maintain daily contact with our beneficiaries, and we strive to address their immediate difficulties. These days, student volunteers from RUJS are distributing matzah and juice to our beneficiaries for the Passover holiday.”

Many social initiatives have intensified their activities in an effort to support people during these challenging times.

Oleg Mortkovich, head of the Moscow Public Organization of Jewish Former Ghetto and Nazi Concentration Camp Prisoners, reported that an emergency task force of five individuals has been established to maintain continuous contact with former prisoners, many of whom require home care. Timely support from the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress has enabled the distribution of medical supplies and kosher food packages for Passover.

Jewish community activists across the Euro-Asian region are working independently to address critical issues and contribute to the containment of the pandemic.

Faced with an acute shortage of protective masks, activists from the Jewish Community of Montenegro hand-sewed and distributed masks to all its members. Expanding their efforts, they went on to produce and donate hundreds of masks to the medical center in Podgorica.

In this state of emergency, the Jewish Community of the Philippines faced challenges in funding its synagogue and community operations. A solution was found by launching a kosher food preparation initiative in the synagogue's kitchen. 

“Amidst the pandemic, the logistics of food supply, preparation, and delivery have proven challenging, but we managed to overcome these obstacles and are now receiving a significant number of orders for kosher food delivery,” stated Lee Blumenthal, Executive Director of the Jewish Community of the Philippines.

“The leadership of the EAJC has resolved to provide emergency assistance to its member communities and organizations. As the world faces this pandemic, we must unite our efforts to ensure that Jewish life continues to thrive. Consequently, the priority of the Congress will be the development of online projects and the mitigation of urgent challenges faced by communities and organizations throughout the Euro-Asian region,” stated EAJC President Dr. Michael Mirilashvili.