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.

BroadwayInDetroit.com • ticketmaster.com • 800-982-2787

Groups (10+) broadwayindetroitgroups@theambassadors.com 

(subject: Anastasia) OC- Friday, May 6, 7:30pm

ON SALE NOW!
FISHER THEATRE • MAY 3-8

