MARCH 17 • 2022 | 27
“
A Chabad in Vienna
offered to take in 1,000
refugees,” Rabbi Shemtov
says as an example, one of
many offers that have come
through in recent days.
DOING MITZVAHS
FOR UKRAINE
The quick and effective
mobilization by Chabad,
he says, leaves many people
amazed, including himself.
“It’s very heartwarming
to see,” Rabbi Shemtov says.
“We stand in awe watching
these people doing things
that seem superhuman, and
we want to help them.”
Chabad’s effort, paired
with others, has encouraged
many Metro Detroiters to
step up and offer resources
or financial support. Right
now, Rabbi Shemtov says the
most pressing need is dona-
tions, which go directly to
the network on the ground
in Ukraine to continue
gathering food and sup-
plies. “That goes right to the
frontline,” he explains.
Outside of that, Rabbi
Shemtov is encouraging the
Jewish community to sup-
port one another through
the crisis. “We’re focused
on doing mitzvahs, bring-
ing people to light Shabbos
candles,” he says, “or doing
a mitzvah in [Ukraine’s]
honor, which is spiritually
very important.”
One of the biggest lessons
coming out of the crisis,
Rabbi Shemtov continues, is
how connected the Jewish
community truly is. “It’s
heartbreaking and heart-
warming,” he says, “the devo-
tion of not forgetting about
fellow Jews. It should be an
inspiration to us all.”
To donate to The Shul’s Ukraine
campaign, visit theshul.net/special/
campaigns/ukraine/donate.htm.
Pilar’s Foundation is now
officially a 501(c)(3) non-
profit, which means it is a
registered charitable orga-
nization with the IRS, and
that all donations to sup-
port our mission qualify
for tax exemption.
Over the past 20 years
Pilar’s Foundation has
worked hard through cele-
bration, community-build-
ing, and the power of love,
sponsoring events that
bring our citizens together
to eat, listen to music and
contribute relief during
times of disaster or crisis.
Pilar’s Foundation’s
first event as an “official”
501(c)(3) organization —
Pilar’s Stands with Local
Afghan Refugee Families
— is planned for Sunday
March 27, 3-6 p.m., with
tamale meal pick-ups at
Zion Lutheran Church,
1501 West Liberty St., Ann
Arbor, to raise funds for
Jewish Family Services of
Washtenaw County’s refu-
gee family program. Order
ahead and have a meal
ready for that night’s Oscar
Awards-watching party by
visiting pilarsfoundation.
org/buy-tickets.
Donors who wish
to contribute to Pilar’s
Foundation can visit
https://pilarsfoundation.
org.
Pilar’s Foundation
to Support Jewish
Family Services
of Washtenaw
County
Journey
to the
past.
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