JDC (The Joint)

We're so grateful to everyone who showed up in support of humanitarians around the world for our virtual event Spark: A JDC Global Celebration for World Humanitarian Day. For all of us at JDC, humanitarianism isn't just a value we honor once a year — it's the driving force behind our 110-year mission. Whether they're delivering food and medicine to elderly Jews in Ukraine, providing emergency aid to Israelis under fire, or leading Shabbat celebrations for young Jews in India, our global JDC team lives and breathes their commitment to bettering the lives of all Jews and all people, each and every day. Experience the magic again by the full video: https://bit.ly/3X12CQy

Last month, the JDC-supported Or Shalom trauma support center in Khmelnytskyi organized a special “Summer Inspiration” retreat in western Ukraine for 46 members of the city’s Jewish community. Participants included people of all ages: internally displaced people (IDPs), at-risk families, and more. The camp’s main goal was to alleviate the anxiety and depression many Ukrainians are feeling due to the ongoing conflict in the country. Sessions not only focused on the importance of mental health but also provided individual and group therapy options. The camp also provided art, nature, animal, and movement therapy. “This camp has become a powerful and effective tool for helping members of the Jewish community in this time of crisis,” said Galina G., the Khmelnytskyi center’s director. “After the week we spend together, we note note an improvement in the psychological and emotional state of clients, along with the development of emotional intelligence and adaptability in both adults and children, enhanced social skills, increased self-esteem, improved family relationships, and greater resilience.”

“There is no shortage of pain in Israel today, as millions of people have been forever changed by the October 7 attacks and the ongoing war,” says JDC CEO Ariel Zwang. ”There is a long road ahead and much work to do, but we’re dedicated to ensuring that Israelis have a future that is bright and strong.” Recently, Jerusalem Post highlighted JDC’s critical support for tens of thousands of evacuees, seniors, and front-line communities across Israel.

Yesterday, the Jewish community of Poltava, Ukraine, celebrated Tu B’Av — the Jewish holiday of love — with a special program at the city’s JDC-supported Hesed Nefesh social welfare center. About 30 participants of all ages learned about the holiday's history and traditions and discussed the importance of love, also baking cookies and writing supportive notes for each other. “The purpose of the event was not only to discuss the holiday, but also to reconnect our youth and seniors in today’s difficult situation, fostering friendships and uniting people across generations,” said Alyona B., the event’s organizer. “It is so inspiring to see young people and the elderly communicating openly and emotionally, supporting each other, and sharing stories and wisdom with open hearts.”

At this critical time, it's never been more important to celebrate the everyday heroes making miracles happen for the world's most vulnerable people. That's why we hope you'll join us for Spark: A JDC Global Celebration for World Humanitarian Day, a free virtual event spotlighting the stories of humanitarians around the globe. Tune in at 7 p.m. EDT on Aug. 19th to watch dance and musical performances in India, Georgia, and beyond; hear directly from the JDC staff powering our emergency response in Ukraine and Israel; and draw inspiration from one young Jewish leader's special blessing for these difficult times. Register here: https://bit.ly/3yIyGk

If there’s one thing Yura S.’s and Lesya F.’s story proves, it’s that Jewish life isn’t just a source of spiritual meaning, community, or important life skills — it can also be an avenue to romantic love. After meeting at a JDC-Hillel/JAFI Madrichim school in Odesa, Yura and Lesya, two young Ukrainian Jewish leaders, knew they had a special bond and fell deeply in love. Today, they’re happily married and living in Kyiv, and Yura and Lesya have built their relationship around their beloved Jewish community — Lesya is acting director of Hillel Kyiv, while Yura serves as Hillel CASE’s (Central Asia Southeastern Europe) director of education, pioneering several educational and leadership initiatives in partnership with JDC. This Tu B’Av, we sat down with them to hear more about their love story for our latest JDC Voices Blog post. Read the full Q&A: https://bit.ly/3XaAHze

It's never been more important to recognize the heroes making miracles happen for the world's most vulnerable people. Tune in TONIGHT at 7 p.m. EDT for an inspirational evening of song, dance, and reflections from JDC staff around the globe. Register today: https://bit.ly/4czXCs5

Not all love stories begin in childhood. But before he was 10 years old, Shamir Raphael Talkar met the person who later became the love of his life — Steffi Shamir Talkar. At JDC’s Evelyn Peters Jewish Community Center (EPJCC) in Mumbai, and through the Jewish Youth Pioneers (JYP) — JDC’s program for young adults in India — Steffi and Shamir developed an unshakeable bond, and their relationship eventually led to marriage. This Tu B’Av, Steffi and Shamir sit down with us to reflect on their love story for our JDC Voices Blog — and how JDC programming helped foster their lifelong connection. Read their full reflection here: https://bit.ly/3WUoOMe

What percentage of people worldwide are in need of humanitarian aid? Think you know the answer? Test your knowledge with our World Humanitarian Day quiz!

Every Thursday, volunteers at the JDC-supported Hesed Haim social welfare center in Sumy, Ukraine, gather to bake delicious challahs and deliver them to vulnerable elderly community members so that they can enjoy a tasty and traditional Shabbat. This past week, members of Active Jewish Teens (AJT) joined the volunteers to help bake and deliver challah and learn about the history and significance of having challah on Shabbat for Jews around the world. "Baking challah is a new and interesting experience for me," said Sonya, a 15-year-old internally displaced person (IDP) now living in Sumy. "We always have challah on our table for Shabbat, but I've never baked it myself before. I am grateful to JDC and AJT for instilling in me a love for the community and care for the elderly, as well as for giving me the opportunity to learn new things and express myself. I've gained new knowledge, enjoyed interesting conversations, and found a new circle of friends and a new home!"