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

