Montreal – April 4, 2022 – Federation CJA has dispatched a team of seven Russian-speaking volunteers to Warsaw, Poland to assist the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) with processing refugees. The Russian-speaking Jewish Philanthropy (RSJ) group will be headed by its president, Anna Digerman, and professional director, Oxana Pasternak.

"Montreal's Jewish community is proud to answer the call to support the worldwide campaign to provide humanitarian assistance for Ukrainians," said Yair Szlak, CEO of Federation CJA. "Having witnessed the heart-breaking situation in Europe with my own eyes just two weeks ago it is without a doubt that we all must do more to help in any way we can. As a community, we are raising significant dollars to support our overseas partners. We can also reinforce the professional and volunteer corps on the ground, and that's just what our Russian-speaking volunteers will be doing."

Pasternak hasn't been to Eastern Europe since her departure from Kyiv some 25 years ago. So, it came as somewhat of a surprise that she would find herself leading a group of six volunteers to Warsaw, Poland to assist Ukrainian refugees fleeing their war-torn country.

"I was born in Kyiv, made Aliyah, and after 10 years in Israel, I moved to Montreal," Oxana explained. "As the Director of the RSJ Philanthropy division at Federation CJA, it is my pride and my honour to do all I can to help our brothers and sisters—Ukrainian Jews—who find themselves escaping from the chaos and horrors falling upon my homeland."

Acting in concert with overseas partners at JAFI and JDC, Pasternak and her team of six volunteer fellow Russian speakers from Montreal began their 10-day deployment yesterday. They brought toys, toiletries, and clothing to distribute to anyone in need.

"How lucky we are to have such dedicated, passionate volunteers from RSJ participating in this relief mission," Pasternak said. "They are active in community life and come from healthcare and the business community."

Pasternak said that all six volunteers are from the former USSR, and subsequently Israel. They possess "Exceptional leadership skills and willingness to give back to community, driven by a sense of social justice."

"We hope to help people as much as possible," Pasternak indicated. "We are all living through this nightmare together, and the six volunteers and I are privileged to be able to offer our assistance. We all speak the language and come from the region, so not only can we communicate easily, but we can genuinely empathize. We are praying for peace and hoping for the best."

About RSJ Philanthropy

The RSJ Philanthropy division of Federation CJA strives to preserve and develop the culture, traditions, and history of Russian-speaking Jews, working together for the prosperity of our community. We unite Russian-speaking Jews of several generations by organizing and participating in various events related to charitable activities and the development of social ties. The RSJ initiative advances the mission of Federation CJA to build a vibrant, cohesive, and stable Jewish community, respecting our cultural background and traditions.

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:
Glenn J. Nashen
Director, Media Relations and Crisis Communications | Directeur, Relations avec les médias et communication de crise
Strategic Marketing and Communications | Marketing Stratégique et communications
FEDERATION CJA
1 Carré Cummings Square | 5151 Chemin de la Côte Ste-Catherine Road
Montréal, Québec  H3W 1M6
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