Ukraine Crisis Puts Divided Jewish World to the Test

For the first time in decades, a nation with a thriving diasporic Jewish community has become a warzone, and Jewish lives are at risk. Jews in Ukraine are now relying on humanitarian and Jewish organizations capable of responding to the urgent threats they face.

An expansive system of Jewish organizations now faces its greatest challenge in decades—and an opportunity to showcase unity and competency. Coming at a time when internal divisions—political, religious, and ideological—are seen as threats to a prosperous Jewish future, the response to this crisis is a test of Jewish connectedness.

Leading the way is the Jewish Agency, a longtime facilitator for Jewish immigration to Israel and the largest Jewish nonprofit organization in the world. The Agency has been at the center of the response to the crisis, ramping up efforts to ensure safe passage of Ukrainian Jews immigrating to Israel. Emissaries on the ground in Ukraine and on phonelines around the world are providing guidance and information regarding the Aliyah process, as well as general assistance for the Jewish community in Ukraine.

The topic of Aliyah was a considerable source of tension between the chief rabbis of Ukraine and Israel and their supporters leading up to the invasion, but both sides have since rallied under a shared goal: to save Jewish lives by any means necessary. This reconciliation has been seen across countless Jewish organizations that have sidelined their usual disagreements to pursue this crucial Jewish priority.

Indeed, many Jewish organizations whose missions seemingly have little to do with saving lives in Ukraine are getting involved as well. Masa Israel Journey, a project of the Jewish Agency and the government of Israel, brings young Jews in the diaspora to Israel for immersive, long-term programs. When Russia invaded Ukraine and put thousands of Jewish lives at risk, Masa quickly pivoted to meet the 200% surge in applications from Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus, as potential Masa fellows seek refuge in Israel.

Jewish organizations around the world have adapted their strategies to meet an unprecedented need for support.

What was once one of many diasporic communities in Masa’s scope has become a focal point of their work. With consideration to the growing refugee crisis, the Jewish Agency has boosted Masa’s funding to bolster its capacity to support current and potential fellows from FSU countries. Masa is allowing eligible fellows to join any program at any time through a fast-tracked, fully funded process with the support of an on-the-ground team in Ukraine and a global network of staff to help navigate safe passage to Israel.

“Our priority is to bring them to Israel as quickly as possible while offering support as they transition to life here,” Masa CEO Ofer Gutman said.

This reprioritization can be seen across the Jewish world. Hillel International has managed to support Jewish Ukrainians while remaining true to its student-focused mission by providing emergency relief to Hillel staff and the students they serve. The World Zionist Organization is carving out space in Israel’s rural areas to provide portable housing for 1,000 Ukrainians Jews. Chabad-Lubavitch is staying on the ground and leading the humanitarian front within Ukraine while also arranging safe passage to Israel.

In short, Jewish organizations around the world have adapted their strategies to meet an unprecedented need for support. Divisions have not been completely resolved, but world Jewry is, thus far, united and coordinated in responding to one of the most trying crises facing a Jewish community in decades. Let’s hope this spirit of solidarity continues even after the crisis is behind us.

Benjamin Raziel is a journalist based in Tel Aviv.