Jewish Ukrainian refugees celebrate Pesach across Europe thanks to the Conference of European Rabbis
Across Europe this week, thousands of Jewish Ukrainian refugees will enjoy a Passover seder thanks to the efforts of the Conference of European Rabbis. The organisation has set up an international fund to aid their work, which is not limited to the holiday. As well as providing food, kashrut supervisors to ensure it's kosher, and Russian-speaking staff over Pesach, the CER has also been arranging transportation to and from border crossings, accommodation, and medical, legal and psychological assistance.
“As we recite in the opening passage of the haggadah, ‘Whoever wants, come and celebrate Pesach; whoever needs, come and eat’," said Chief Rabbi Michael Schudrich. "The CER is doing all it can to ensure that this is a reality for the thousands of stranded and displaced Jewish refugees who have left their homes in the face of war. Now they will be able, along with the rest of the Jewish communities, to sit and celebrate Pesach, free from danger and hunger.”
In Poland, more than 15 seders are taking place, allowing over 1,500 refugees to celebrate Pesach. Over 1,200 members of the Tikvah community of Odessa had to flee Ukraine, settling in Neptun, Romania, where the CER's Rabbi Baksht and Rabbi Kruskal are giving them pastoral, practical and spiritual guidance, as well as planning Pesach celebrations. In Moldova, which has been a transit country for fleeing Ukrainians, the CER has supported Jewish communities, allowing them to run Pesach seders for over 1,000 refugees. And in Hungary, they've aided the Budapest Orthodox Jewish community in hosting a communal seder.
In addition to Passover celebrations, the CER’s vast relief efforts stretch across Eastern and Central Europe. The foundation is investing in longer-term projects to help Ukrainian refugees, supporting several communities in places such as Vienna and Munich to enable them to take in those wanting to make a permanent home in those cities.
“The CER has been working tirelessly to ensure that no refugee is homeless, hungry or unable to celebrate Pesach," said Gady Gronich, CEO of the CER. "We are doing all we can to enable thousands of refugees across the continent to find safety and support, both physically and spiritually, and will also have the opportunity for long-term stability.”
By Danielle Goldstein
Photos: CER Pesach aid work across Europe
Find out more about the Conference of European Rabbis at rabbiscer.org and donate to their relief fund at charity.live/cer.