On Monday, June 8, the Federation Board of Directors approved a grant recommendation of $420,000 from the Milton and Madeline Goldberg Endowment Fund to help Jews in Ukraine and the Former Soviet Union. The Goldberg Endowment Fund is allocated by a committee of community leaders and chaired by Elaine Galinson. It works to fulfill the Goldberg’s passion for helping Jews around the world though Federation’s longtime global partner The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC).

After careful consideration and in-depth discussions with leadership at the JDC, the Goldberg Endowment Fund Committee is directing the funds as follows:

• $210,000 will go to JDC programs in Ukraine to assist Jewish elderly and families who are experiencing major cost increases for basic needs (food, medicine, utilities, home care) as a result of the current political turmoil and crisis in the country
• $210,000 will go to JDC programs in the other countries of the Former Soviet Union (outside of Ukraine) serving needy Jewish elderly and families – with special attention focused on countries of extreme poverty (e.g. Moldova/Georgia) and economic instability (e.g. Russia)

“I’m so proud of the hard work and passion of the committee in making this important grant allocation. These funds will provide critical support for our Jewish families in Ukraine and the Former Soviet Union, and let these communities know they are not alone. I had the honor and pleasure of being Madeline’s (z”l) friend, and I know she would be so proud and touched to see the impact her and Milton’s (z”l) legacy is having on Jews around the world” said Elaine Galinson.

Although it’s fallen from the headlines, Jewish communities in Ukraine and the FSU are struggling amidst civil war and internal displacement.  Read Alan Gill’s latest article in eJewishPhilanthropy, published this week.

Federation works hard every day to fulfill the mission to care for all Jews in need, here in San Diego, in Israel, and all around the world. Kol Havod to the Goldberg’s, the committee, and the JDC. 

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Thank you, for all you do.