A large group of local residents has arrived in Warsaw, Poland, before stopping in several cities en route to the border city of Przemysl to help Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war and their homeland.
Rabbi Axelrod, Rav of Young Israel Woodmere, who joined the mission to Poland, shared the following message:
For the last two weeks, our thoughts and prayers have been with those whose lives have been devastated by the war in Ukraine. This past Motzei Shabbos, I left to Poland, on a three day trip with other NY area Rabbis on a UJA-Federation of New York Rabbinic Mission. We have spent time in Warsaw and Lublin, meeting with refugees as well as hearing of the dedicated humanitarian work being performed by various Jewish agencies. We will be delivering medical supplies as well as everyday essentials at various refugee centers in Poland and along the Ukrainian border. I plan on addressing the shul about my trip this coming Shabbos morning.
Please continue to daven for Acheinu Bnei Yisrael both inside and outside the Ukraine and for all the innocents who are in harms way.
– Rabbi Axelrod
We're leading a trip to Poland for a group of 18 NY Rabbis to gain a deeper understanding of the humanitarian crisis and to see up-close the role of our partners. Follow their journey with us on Twitter. And learn more about the trip on @NBCNewYork: https://t.co/9r0uOt2Maf pic.twitter.com/Z1ydQ79Csl
— UJA-Federation of New York (@UJAfedNY) March 13, 2022
We've arrived in Warsaw, and the world has already changed since we departed. We've brought emergency humanitarian/medical supplies to support Ukrainian refugees. We've brought our worried, broken hearts. Hinenu. We are here. #UJARabbinicMission #Poland #Ukraine @UJAfedNY pic.twitter.com/f7V21mh8Ff
— Rabbi Menachem Creditor (he/him) (@rabbicreditor) March 13, 2022
At the airport with 17 other rabbis on our way to Poland to bring hundreds of pounds of medical and humanitarian aid to the border with Ukraine, to offer spiritual comfort and strength, and to bear witness to this terrible tragedy @UJAfedNY @ShaarayTefilaNY @AfyaFoundation pic.twitter.com/iJ7S2gtkCF
— Joel Mosbacher (@RavMoss) March 13, 2022
We just arrived in Poland. We must not be indifferent pic.twitter.com/dd5DGWT4YO
— (((Chaim Steinmetz)) (@rabbichaim) March 13, 2022
The NATAN team is working hard in the extreme surrounding chaos to provide medical and trauma care – with the utmost compassion – to thousands of refugees crossing the border into Poland each day.
— UJA-Federation of New York (@UJAfedNY) March 11, 2022
Just left supplies at transit center for refugees outside Warsaw. Forty families there today. Some waiting and hoping to go back home to Ukraine; some wanting to stay in Poland; others seeking new homes all over the world. All traumatized, all hurting @UJAfedNY @ShaarayTefilaNY pic.twitter.com/oU836XUoAZ
— Joel Mosbacher (@RavMoss) March 13, 2022
NBC News reports before the departure:
