The date February 24, 2022, is seared into the collective memory of Ukraine. What no one thought possible happened: After relations between the two countries had been extremely strained since 2014, Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine on Thursday, February 24.
By Koen Carlier, Christians for Israel – Ukraine, translated by Anemone Rüger, CSI
Let me take you back a year. On February 21, 2022, we, the team from Christians for Israel – Ukraine, gathered in our completed emergency shelter to pray together and go over everything one last time – just in case. We had already been making all sorts of preparations since November 2021. Our motto was: We pray and hope for the best, but we also want to be prepared for the worst.
A few days after our meeting, the nightmare became reality. Those were extremely tense hours – the first panicked phone calls; the first refugees pleading for our help; the first evacuation bus runs, now operating day and night. The twelve volunteers in the kitchen worked around the clock. Within a very short time, our three emergency shelters were full. Refugees could stay there for one or two days before continuing their journey to Romania or Moldova, and finally to Israel.
Mariupol
Our greatest concern was for eastern Ukraine, especially the city of Mariupol. We did what we could – in cooperation with Rabbi Mendel Cohen, with whom we had worked closely for years. Then, however, the air raids became so intense, the destruction so widespread, that the situation in the city became unbearable. Those who could, fled, in some cases on foot; but for many it was already too late. Hundreds of people sought refuge in the basement of the local theater, but this building, too, was attacked and razed to the ground. An elderly Jewish couple, who had also been in the basement, were rescued alive and, after many detours, arrived at our emergency shelter – completely traumatized. Finally, they, too, were able to be flown to Israel via Moldova.
The war left deep scars. We were able to evacuate thousands of Jews and bring them to Israel via neighboring countries – especially mothers, children, and the elderly, including numerous Holocaust survivors, as well as the blind and lame mentioned in the Bible. Overall, it was a devastating year for Ukraine, but also a historic year in terms of the return of Ukrainian Jews to Israel. Last year, 15,213 Jews from Ukraine experienced the biblical words from the Prophets: “Flee from the land of the north… to Zion.”
Two plastic bags
Last April, Mikhail and his wife Yelena arrived at our shelter. They had fled Mariupol. All they had with them were two packed plastic bags. That was all they had been able to gather in just a few minutes. You'll recognize one of the bags immediately – it's one of our food bags that we regularly distribute in Jewish communities. On it, in Ukrainian, is the Bible verse from Psalm 121: "Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep."
We transported them, along with many other refugees, to the Moldovan border in our large evacuation bus. There, the refugees crossed the long pedestrian bridge to continue their journey to the Moldovan capital, Chișinău.
Valeria and her baby
On February 1st of this year, we brought a young woman, Valeria, and her three-month-old baby, Sofia, from Kyiv to Moldova. A few days ago, we received this moving photo. What we didn't know was that Valeria and her husband had fled Mariupol to give birth to their first child in a relatively safe place. Valeria has now decided to risk the long journey to Israel with her baby. Her in-laws have been waiting for her there since April of last year. They urgently asked Valeria to come at the first opportunity, before a possible second offensive engulfs the country with a new wave of violence and makes it perhaps impossible to find a way out of Ukraine. This left Valeria with a very difficult decision, because her husband is not allowed to leave the country, as men between the ages of 18 and 60 are required to be available for national defense. But they didn't want to wait for another Mariupol. "I looked at my little girl and asked myself: Do I want to raise her here or in Israel? Then the decision was easy!" says Valeria. Now we have received this heartwarming photo of the temporary family reunion in Israel, in the Promised Land, where Rabbi Mendel continues to personally care for the well-being of his rescued community members as far as he is able.
What happens next?
We, too, can only speculate about the direction the war might take. What we do know is that it has caused unimaginable suffering for millions of Ukrainians: tens of thousands of broken families; a feeling of helplessness; and a hatred that will be present for generations.
Once again, a verse from a psalm has encouraged us: “Grant us strength in the day of trouble, for human help is of no value.” (Psalm 60:11) This verse was primarily written for Israel, or the Jewish people, in view of their enemies. When we look back on the past year, we do so with very mixed feelings. But what prevails is gratitude to our faithful God, who protects us and saves his people; and at the same time, gratitude for so many faithful helpers, prayer partners, and donors who support us in these difficult times!
We still have many journeys ahead of us to bring Jewish refugees to safety and prepare them for their departure to Israel. The Red Sea crossing is still open. We can still overcome the obstacles, support Jewish families in need, and help them on their way to Israel. We hope to be able to continue doing so!
God's promises
In Isaiah 43:6 we find the call to help with the return of God's people to Israel. There are many other Bible verses about the return of the Jews. As Christians standing alongside Israel, we are grateful to be able to help with this great task.
For €135 you can enable the return of a Ukrainian Jew to Israel. This amount covers preliminary consultation, travel to the consulate, airport transfer, and accommodation costs. Every donation is welcome.
This article first appeared on: https://www.c4israel.org/news/update-from-ukraine-a-year-of-war/
