At Its Hardest
Detroit Jewish women visit needy Jews in Ukraine.
PHIL JACOBS
Editor
O
n one hand, Susan Citrin,
Beverly Liss and Sandra Jaffa
wouldn't have traded the
experience for the world.
On the other hand, they wished
that the conditions they saw in the
Ukraine weren't being experienced by
anyone.
Citrin, co-chair of the 1998 Allied
Jewish Campaign, visited the region as
part of the United Jewish Appeal
Chairman's Mission this summer. Liss,
chair of the Women's Campaign, and
Jaffa, director of the Women's
Department, were in the region at the
same time. But all three Detroit
Jewish community leaders came back
9/12
1997
32
dren out of the country to Israel —
with similar impressions. And how
though they were glad they were safe,
could they not?
the parents still missed them dearly.
The American Jewish Joint
The women then visited Israel and
Distribution Committee is serving
met those children.
70,000 meals and other nutri-
A video, made of the par-
tional help daily in the former
Child en from
ents in the Ukraine, was shown
Soviet Union. There are at least
a Je wish
to their children in Israel. It
another 230,000 individuals
sum mer
was
a video letter, reconnecting
still needing help.
ca mp.
families.
"We saw all of this, and it
"I think what I learned from
really opened our eyes," said
all of this is how important it is that
Citrin. "We realize now what is really
we support this community in the
happening there. Many of our people
Ukraine," said Jaffa. "The children we
face a grave situation. They are doing
saw have such potential. They look
their best to even survive, to eat."
like our kids here in Detroit. In Israel,
The Detroit trio had an opportuni-
they will be part of a base that will
ty to visit a Jewish camp for children.
change the face of Israel 10 years from
They had one-on-one time with frail
now.
elderly. They also met with parents
Liss said the potential in the former
who had managed to get their chil-
"
Sovier Union is also wonderful to see.
However, the obstacles facing Jews
there aren't getting any easier. She said
its possible the "gates will be open to
get the Jews out of the area for just a
few more years. We've got to continue
this work."
Still, Liss said the Jewish Agency is
helping to support the remaining
Jewish community where it can.
"How many more can we get out,
we don't know," she said. "But what-
ever that number, we need to support
them and what's left of the Jewish
community."
Said Citrin, "We're bringing to the
region what it's like to be Jewish by
supporting them and visiting them.
And we'll continue to do so. As long as
they need us, we'll be there for them."