Dear Friends,
I would like to extend to all in the World Jewish Congress family my wishes for a Purim Sameach.
Purim is about the hidden miracles of life -- unlike other Jewish holidays the salvation of the Jewish people did not occur through the splitting of a sea or through an improbable military victory, but through the seemingly normal actions of people.
Of course, the tragic events in Ukraine are foremost in our minds at this time, and it will be difficult to celebrate in the face of such suffering. But, in these times, it is heartwarming to see our Jewish communities, staff, and members of the WJC JDCorps, continuing to encapsulate the raison d’être of the WJC, Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh beZeh ("All Jews are responsible for one another") as they work with other organizations to assist Ukrainian refugees fleeing their homes, and also try to get much needed aid into Ukraine itself.
It’s no coincidence that one of the four special Mitzvot of Purim is to give gifts to those in need. As you will have seen, we are raising funds that will go towards ensuring that those displaced, and the people of Ukraine who are enduring horrific hardships, will receive some aid that they so desperately need including food, water, shelter, medicine, and resettlement, and other life-saving resources. One hundred percent of the funds raised through the World Jewish Congress Ukraine Humanitarian Relief Effort will be used for these purposes.
We must follow the lead of Mordechai and Esther and ensure that the survival of the Jewish people, and all those in need, is never taken for granted and always invest in our future.
We must also remember in these uncertain times that our actions must be a light unto all other nations,
Purim Sameach!
Ronald S. Lauder
President
World Jewish Congress
