May 23, 2023

City of Kyiv, Ukraine, Recognizes Jewish Federations of North America for War Relief

In recognition of ongoing international support during the war between Russia and Ukraine, the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv has built an “Avenue of International Aid” in its Independence Square, planting seven Japanese cherry trees to thank the seven countries that have been at the forefront of relief efforts. These countries are Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Lithuania, Poland and the US. The center tree honors Israel, with a plaque carrying the names and logos of the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) and the Israel Trauma Coalition, as well as a QR code linking to a brief explanation of JFNA activities in Ukraine. Since the outbreak of the war, JFNA has raised a collective $90 million to support the work of core partners the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, The Jewish Agency for Israel and World ORT, and more than 85 NGOs — including the Israel Trauma Coalition — which are providing humanitarian aid and relief to refugees in Ukraine and neighboring countries.