Montreal – March 9, 2022 – Federation CJA has launched an urgent appeal in conjunction with Jewish Federations of North America and its global network. The goal is to amass twenty million dollars.

"We are an integral part of a worldwide campaign to provide humanitarian assistance to alleviate suffering and safeguard Ukraine's Jewish community, as well as Jews in neighbouring countries," said Yair Szlak, CEO of Federation CJA. "We are proud that over one thousand community members have already stepped up and donated close to five hundred thousand dollars in support of these efforts. But, so much more is needed on an urgent basis."

On the ground, in Ukraine

As the crisis in Ukraine escalates, thousands have come under fire in areas across the country.  Hundreds of thousands more have fled the fighting. These people, and thousands more, require our immediate assistance.

Emergency funding will focus on:

• Helping people make Aliyah (immigration) to Israel 
• Securing the local community and its institutions
• Maintaining critical welfare services
• Assisting internally displaced people in multiple locations 
• Securing temporary housing for people in transit
• Purchasing satellite phones to maintain communications across the region
• Securing five Jewish schools and training staff to manage crisis needs

Here at home

Work is well underway to support those affected in Montreal as well as others who will soon arrive in our city. Our social service partners Agence Ometz and Cummings Centre are:

• Keeping our current clients with family in Ukraine informed, connected, and supported by providing psychosocial support and trauma-sensitive services in Ukrainian and Russian languages.
• Coordinating with our local and national partner agencies across Canada to ensure preparedness.
• Gathering resources for newcomers: families who are ready to provide emergency shelter, employment offers, basic needs, and psychosocial support.
• Organizing post-arrival settlement and integration service responses.

Our advocacy arm, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), is working with various government agencies to ensure that Jewish refugees who wish to come to Montreal can do so.

Support from the community is urgently required

Thousands of Jews living in Ukraine are trapped in conflict zones. Thousands more are on the move—many will be relocated to Israel and elsewhere. An unknown number will seek shelter here in Montreal and across Canada. Federation CJA is committed to supporting our partner agencies on the ground, in Israel, and here at home to ensure the well-being of these Jewish refugees.

"The immediate support from the public is critical in helping to secure families who are trapped in Ukraine and those who are on the run. The needs are urgent. By donating to the Ukraine Emergency Relief Fund, you will be helping during this incredibly difficult time," Szlak said. "We hope for an immediate cessation to this horrific tragedy and pray for peace for the Ukrainian people."

Donations can be made at FederationCJA.org or 514-345-2600.

About Federation CJA

For over one hundred years, Federation CJA has been at the heart of the organized Jewish community in Montreal. In partnership with a vast network of agencies and organizations locally, nationally, and internationally, Federation CJA builds and sustains this community by providing leadership and by supporting the delivery of services and programs to care for the vulnerable and those in need, to ensure a bright Jewish future, to represent communal interests, and to positively affect issues in the wider society.

Media Contact:

To book Mr. Szlak for an interview please contact:

Glenn J. Nashen
Associate Director (Interim) | Directeur Associé (par interim)
Strategic Marketing and Communications | Marketing Stratégique et communications
FEDERATION CJA
[email protected]