32 | DECEMBER 8 • 2022
I
t seems like the rest of the world has
already forgotten about us.
” This is
something that several Ukrainians told
businessman Ethan Gross when he recently
visited the country.
About nine months into the escalation
of the Russo-Ukrainian War, media reports
that individual donations are declining. But
after Gross saw the effects of the war first-
hand, he knows that Ukrainians are still —
more than ever — in need of our support.
“It’s my goal to keep the awareness going
because it’s too easy to just move on to the
next topic. But, in Ukraine, it’s not over, and
it’s not going to be over anytime soon,
” said
Gross, CEO of Globe Midwest Adjusters
International in Southfield.
During his 30-plus years as a public
insurance adjuster, Gross is no stranger to
disasters and tragedies — but nothing to the
magnitude of what’s going on in Ukraine.
“When there are millions and millions of
people displaced essentially overnight, that’s
something most of us haven’t seen in our
lifetimes; it’s reminiscent of World War II.
This is such a massive humanitarian crisis,
and everybody needs to try and help out in
any way they can,
” Gross said.
“For me, I wanted to go and see things
in person. As an adjuster, when I meet with
a client whose house or business burned
down, you learn so much more by physical-
ly looking at the site than you would talking
on the phone or looking at pictures. I want-
ed to do the same with Ukraine so, when I
came home, I could report back on what it’s
like there and why they need our help.
”
Gross spent a week with the Jewish
Relief Network Ukraine (JRNU). He
started his trip in Berlin, Germany, where
the Mishpachah Orphanage of Odessa,
Ukraine, moved temporarily since Russia’s
invasion. Nearly 200 people — including
children, staff and refugees — have been
staying at this makeshift orphanage within a
German hotel since the first days of the war.
“They were able to rent out an entire
hotel — converting the rooms into bed-
rooms, classrooms and shul. The work
being done there is truly amazing. It goes
far beyond food and shelter. It is love, caring
and creating a sense of family for everyone
there,
” he said.
While visiting the orphanage, Gross
learned that even the smallest gestures make
a world of difference to these children. He
asked the staff if there was anything spe-
cific he could do for the children and was
told that they love Coca Cola as a treat. So,
Gross went out and bought them 200 cans
of Coke.
“Seeing the smiles on the children’s faces
and the excitement and gratitude they had
just to receive their own can of Coke — it
was beautiful,
” he said. “It’s amazing how
something as simple as a can of Coke that
most people take for granted can bring joy
to those who are going through such a dif-
ficult time.
”
ON THE GROUND IN ODESA
Gross spent the second part of his trip in
Odessa, where he visited a preschool, high
school, senior center and synagogue that are
run by Chabad of Odessa and supported by
the JRNU.
Every weekday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
the JRNU hands out boxes of food at the
BUSINESS
LEFT: Ethan Gross does a
magic trick for some of the
kids at the Chabad preschool
in Odessa.
CEO of Globe Midwest Adjusters International
returns to host event to raise awareness
and funds for this humanitarian disaster.
A Memorable
Trip to
Ukraine
MONICA DRAKE SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS