The headlines of the conflict between Russia and Georgia have yet to disappear from our daily news, and neither have the needs on the ground for the students and their families who fled from the fighting and found refuge within the Jewish community of Tbilisi.

Tbilisi Hillel students with refugee children.

We are grateful that so many of you have offered emotional and financial support to this community and to Hillel Tbilisi as they work to assist young Jews in adjusting to a new reality.  In fact, due to the generosity of many donors, Hillel Tbilisi will be holding a camp in early September to provide young people and their families with much needed respite from the tension and stress that they have endured over the last month.

Attached are some recent photographs highlighting the work of Hillel Tbilisi Director Moris Krikheli with students from the embattled city of Gori.  We are proud to have such dedicated staff who assume leadership opportunities within their communities in times of crisis, as well as times of calm.  Thank you for providing short and medium-term assistance to members of this Jewish community in need.

Your support helps these students and their families overcome the difficulties of conflict and prepare them to return home.  They are provided with the comfort of community, the space to digest the conflict in a Jewish context, and the skills to rebuild their homes and their lives.

Hillel has 27 centers in seven former Soviet Republics. Students are involved in a wide range of activities including Jewish learning and celebration; arts and culture; social and tzedek/community programs. Please join Hillel’s work in the Former Soviet Union by contributing today. Click here to contribute $36 today.

Thank you very much for being an important part of this important effort. We will continue to share with you updates on developments as they unfold. 

Sincerely,

Karen Moss        Sandy Cahn
Co-Chairs, Hillel FSU Committee