Ukraine: Return on Investment

We are pleased to share with you the results of the kind donations which we received from you – supporters of the Ukraine Emergency Relief campaign – through the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation.

We have provided extensive support to the Jewish Communities of Lviv and Kiev. Over the past year, the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation and its supporters allocated substantial resources to feed and shelter thousands of people who traveled through Lviv city to reach Ukraine’s borders.

Thanks to your meaningful support, the Jewish Community of Lviv was able to open its doors to these refugees, and provide shelter and basic needs.

Donations that were made to the Jewish community in Kiev were used to help evacuate Jews from Kyiv, and bring them safely to Western Ukraine during the beginning of the war. We sponsored a bus which left from the Synagogue in Kyiv and took people to a temporary refugee camp in Western Ukraine.

Here are some examples of how your contributions helped the people of Ukraine:

Medical Supply – Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, we organized two expeditions of medicines and equipment distribution in Lviv. We are working now on arranging a third delivery! Since the start of the war, the shelves of Ukraine’s pharmacies have literally been empty. Our shipments could provide the community with life-saving medicine. Medicines include lifesaving treatments for conditions such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, as well as eye drops, skin creams, pain and fever relievers.

Photo Credit: RA Photography

“No request was too big or too small”, says our partner in Lviv, Rebbetzin Sara Bald and explains the process of medicine supplies. “The Lviv community members and refugees from all over Ukraine presently residing in Lviv sent in their requests, with their name, age, diagnosis and type and amount of medication needed for the next three months. The Lauder Foundation, from Germany, purchased over-the counter-medications and prescription medications (authorized by local German doctors), and sent them to Ukraine. This humanitarian aid project is still ongoing and so much appreciated.”

Watch these videos, in which people from Lviv express their gratitude for those deliveries. This effort resulted from the donations we received to the Ukraine Emergency Relief through the Javne Fund 501(c).

Helping Children in Ukraine: There are many children in Ukraine that need assistance. For example, we are grateful that we could purchase a walker for little Andrew, who now is able to independently move around. This smile is worth every effort!

Integration of Refugees – Since the arrival of Ukrainian refugees in Germany, our local Jewish community in Berlin (KAJ) embraced them, providing them accommodation, food and helping them find their professional path in the city.

Iryna Livshyts, an interior designer, was employed by the Lauder Germany Jewish community and is already providing her professional services to improve the school’s interior design. Other employment examples include Natalia Ruda, who now works as a psychologist in the Lauder Beth Zion School in Berlin.

A total of 11 Ukrainian children joined the Lauder Beth-Zion School and kindergarten in Berlin, and enjoy a fruitful integration among local pupils. Additionally, 8 more students are expected to enroll in the coming weeks. The Ronald S. Lauder Foundation educational network welcomes Ukrainian pupils in Germany as well as Budapest, Prague, Sofia and Vienna.

The Ronald S. Lauder Foundation is honored to continue this mission. We recognize the heroic efforts of the front line Jewish communities bordering Ukraine, and the great efforts of the major Jewish relief organizations – including the JDC, who organize critical relief services, such as, housing, food, clothing and medical care.

The Ronald S. Lauder Foundation actively coordinates its assistance with these communities and organizations, providing safe spaces and programming for children, and resources necessary to effectively integrate children into existing Jewish schools, should families choose to stay in the region.

Please help ensure that our support capacity suffices at this vital time. Donations made here are fully U.S. tax-deductible and go directly towards supporting all of this critical work. Thank you for your incredible support!

For more information on how you can support this cause, please contact:
Tel: +49 (0)30-440 13 16 10
Fax: +49 (0)30-440 13 16 19
e-mail: info@lauderfoundation.com

A copy of the Javne Fund’s most recent Annual Report may be obtained upon request from the Department of Law, Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271, or from the offices of the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation. Send an email to reports@lauderfoundation.com so that we may determine which office is best able to serve you.

Read this recent article that was published about our work in Jüdische Allgemeine.

Check out these touching photos from Lviv.

And see these meaningful photos provided by KAJ Archive.