When the cold winds whip through Dora Pozel’s house in the Carpathian Mountains of western Ukraine, Federation helps her brave the harsh winter with warm clothes, blankets and a recently installed gas stove, electric heater, and radiator.

Likewise for 64-year-old Stelian Obada, who lives alone in a remote corner of Moldova, the poorest country in Europe. Stelian suffers from cerebral palsy, severe arthritis, glaucoma, and central retinal artery thrombosis. Each winter, Federation makes him a little more comfortable with food packages, as well as coal, gas, and firewood to heat his home.

This help for Dora, Stelian, and thousands of other Jews in the former Soviet Union (FSU) is provided by the Jewish Federation’s partner agency, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC). Through JDC’s Hesed network of more than 2,600 social welfare centers, the Winter Relief program provides boots, coats, blankets, coal and wood, and helps cover heating costs for Jews from Belarus to Kazakhstan.

Last year, JDC’s Winter Relief program helped nearly 15,000 elderly and 8,000 children survive a bitter winter—children like Alexander Petrov’s five girls and two boys, who live in a small Ukranian village with no gas supply or running water. Without the JDC-provided coal, the Petrov children are often drafted to join their parents in a nearby forest to collect firewood.

For many in this part of the world, where some of the poorest Jews in the world reside, Jewish Federation support is literally the difference between life and death. The social security they receive from their governments is insufficient, and they often are forced to choose between spending what little money they have on food and medicine, heating or home care – basic human needs that no person should have to go without.

Jewish Federation and JDC’s partnership is the only safety net that exists for the FSU’s most vulnerable. With their support, Dora, Stelian, the Petrov children and so many others have a better chance at surviving the winter.

You can help inspire Dora, Stelian, and thousands of other Jews in the former Soviet Union (FSU) today in three ways:

Give to change lives locally and globally through a gift to the Minneapolis Jewish Federation Community Campaign, which builds community, cares for the welfare of Jews everywhere, and maximizes participation in Jewish life. DONATE

Volunteer by investing your time—make calls at a Call for Change phone-a-thon, join a committee, or become a campaigner.  SIGN UP TO CALL FOR CHANGE CONTACT FEDERATION STAFF ABOUT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Engage by exploring the many ways to get involved with Federation, from attending an event to exploring leadership opportunities, to hopping on our upcoming Campaigner’s Mission!  JOIN THE CAMPAIGNERS’ MISSION ATTEND AN EVENT CONTACT FEDERATION STAFF ABOUT ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES