A Message from The Schechter Institutes
June 2022
Dear Friends of Ramah,
As you may know, The Schechter Institutes, Inc. in Jerusalem has been running a wonderful network of Midreshet Schechter schools and synagogues throughout Ukraine since 1991, including the jewel in the crown - Camp Ramah Ukraine - which is scheduled to celebrate its 30th anniversary this summer.
Since the war began on February 24, we - together with our partners at Masorti Olami - have spent over $200,000 on food and cash distribution throughout Ukraine, hotel rooms and 11 apartments for refugees in Chernivtsi, transportation within Ukraine and across the border, and plane fare within Europe and to Israel.
We now need to raise funds for Camp Ramah Ukraine 2022. Founded in 1992 shortly after the Iron Curtain fell, it has been incredibly successful over the years in teaching thousands of Ukrainian Jewish children how to live as Jews 24/7. (Please see the attached photos from last summer.)
For many years, it has been held in western Ukraine. This summer, as a result of the war in Ukraine, we will celebrate our 30th anniversary at “Pension Dracula” near Arefu, Romania (180 km northwest of Bucharest).
The camp will run from August 12-22. The theme this year is: mitzvot bein adam lahavero, the ethical commandments. As always, it will include tefillot, classes, drama, sports, hikes, wholesome kosher food and two wonderful Shabbatot!
The camp will be directed by Rabbi Irina Gritsevskaya, Executive Director of Midreshet Schechter, along with many veteran counselors from Israel and Ukraine.
This summer, due to the very unusual circumstances, we expect to have refugee children from Chernivtsi, Kharkiv, Odessa, Berlin and Israel. Because it’s being held in Romania and not in Ukraine, it will cost 20% more than usual, in addition to much greater costs for transportation to and from the camp. Finally, the parents cannot pay any tuition this year since they are unemployed.
We would be most grateful if you could support this wonderful camp at this very difficult time.
Please send your check to: The Schechter Institutes, Inc., Box #3566, POB 8500, Philadelphia, PA 19178-3566.
Or you can donate online at https://schechter.edu/donate-ukraine-campaign/
Todah rabbah!
David Golinkin
Rabbi Prof. David Golinkin,
President, The Schechter Institutes, Inc.
President Emeritus, Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies
4 Avraham Granot St. P.O.B. 16080, Jerusalem 9116002 Israel
Tel: 972-74-7800680 Fax: 972-2-6791453
golinkin@schechter.ac.il www.schechter.edu