APRIL 21 • 2022 | 29

not sending any of them home,” Natan says. Many 
of these teens, however, no longer have a home, 
their cities destroyed in the war. Instead, they’ll 
spend extended time at the villages and, if needed, 
will receive the support of an Israeli family willing 
to shelter them if no relatives or family friends are 
currently in Israel.
Typically, youth in these villages experience the 
benefits of returning home for things like Passover 
break. They have opportunities to phone home and 
speak with family. 
Neither of these things, however, are now possi-
ble for most youth.
Some teens living in the villages came from 
Russia before the war and can’t reach their relatives 
because of communication restrictions imposed 
by the Russian government. It’s a situation that’s 
difficult and heartbreaking for students and staff 
alike, prompting Hadassah to make mental health a 
priority throughout the duration of the crisis.
“That’s what these kids are dealing with,” Natan 
says.

ARRIVING TO A WARM WELCOME
Teens who arrive at the villages are referred by the 
Jewish Agency and Ministry of Education. All were 
applicants for the September 2022 program, now 
accelerated to accommodate the ongoing emergency 
and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. While a typical 
timeline to enter the villages includes a thorough eval-
uation of needs and suitability, the biggest focus right 
now is to simply save lives.
“We need to hire counselors and teachers,
” Bluth 
says, “and purchase personal items, clothing, and fur-
nishings and equipment for our refugees’ lodging.
”
An interview process has already begun to learn 
about medical, educational and emotional needs of 
Ukrainian teens seeking refuge at the youth villages. 
In the meantime, every effort is made to normalize 
their lives and create a sense of stability. Kids arrive to 
a warm welcome, comfortable accommodations and 
even Shabbat dinner.
They take trips to the mall, go bowling on nice days 
and meet other youth. Ukrainian teens are supplied 
with laptops and various personal items. They’re not 
much different from other teens who arrived in better 
days, except for the tragic reasons they’ve left their 
homes behind, some of whom may never be able to 
return to Ukraine.
Yet small miracles continue to happen when they’re 
least expected. While shopping for bedding for a 
Ukrainian teenage refugee who had just arrived at one 
of the youth village dorms, a staff member acciden-
tally purchased some sheets and blankets that struck 
resonance with many, bringing a few close to tears.
“I pointed out that the bedding was blue 
and yellow,” Natan recalls. “The colors of the 
Ukrainian flag.” 

“WHAT WE CAN DO IS GIVE THEM 
A SAFE HAVEN, COUNSELING, 
 SOME SENSE OF NORMALCY 

AND BELONGING.”

— NANCY BLUTH, PAST REGION PRESIDENT 
OF HADASSAH OF GREATER DETROIT

 Ukrainian refugees shopping for new clothing in Israel

Ukrainian students in Youth Village

