Video: Stephen Wise Temple and Schools and B’nai Jeshurun raise over $200k for Ukrainian refugees

As part of Stephen Wise Temple’s response to the Ukraine crisis, our clergy has enlisted experts in international relations, humanitarian aid, foreign policy, and history to educate and inform our community. On March 28, Senior Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback hosted a briefing from Moldova, featuring a team from United Hatzalah of Israel.

Over the last two weeks, Stephen Wise Temple and Schools, in partnership with Congregation B’nai Jeshurun in New Jersey, have raised over $200k in funds for Ukrainian refugees through United Hatzalah of Israel’s Operation Orange Wings (featured on CBS Los Angeles). On Monday, Senior Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback was joined by co-sponsor Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz of Congregation B’nai Jeshurun and Rabbi Sydney Mintz of Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco, as they hosted a briefing from the United Hatzalah of Israel team providing that humanitarian aid in Moldova.

Panelists on the webinar included United Hatzalah of Israel founder and president, Eli Beer; United Hatzalah of Israel vice president Michael Littenberg Brown; executive board member Dina Aspen; Director of Internal Operations Dov Maisel; and Deputy Director of International Emergency Operations Linor Attias.

Dov detailed the history of United Hatzalah, which uses its ambi-cycles to get to any medical emergency in Israel in three minutes or less, giving aid to anyone in need, regardless of nationality, race, or religion. He also explained just how United Hatzalah—thanks to good, old-fashioned “Israeli chutzpah”—was able to link up with authorities in Moldova and use their airport to bring in medical supplies through Operation Orange Wings. The first plane to land in Moldova since the beginning of the war was a United Hatzalah flight, bringing much-needed humanitarian assistance.

Linor, fresh off returning to Israel with a planeload of refugees, shared the story of a 70-year-old woman she met on the border, Polina. The two sat together and shared a meal, as Linor listened to Polina’s horror stories of bodies strewn across the streets of her home city.

“She told me that it was better for her to try to escape than to do nothing,” Linor said. “It was the first moment she’d grieved for her husband.”

Polina was one of 159 refugees who flew to Israel on the next flight out.

“That is the work we are doing,” Linor said.

What is Operation Orange Wings?

Through Operation Orange Wings, United Hatzalah of Israel charters plane flights from Israel to Moldova. Those flights carry up to 10 trained medics, along with medical supplies and equipment for field hospitals on the Moldova-Ukraine border. On the return flight, the planes carry 150 refugees back to Israel.

Less than two weeks ago, the Wise community and CBJ launched a joint effort to fund one of those flights, with a goal of $100,000. Through the generosity of our communities, we have far surpassed the initial goal. Now, every dollar raised will go toward funding further cargo planes, packed with desperately-needed medical supplies. Donate here.