Jewish Federation of Greater Washington CEO Gil Preuss Heads to Ukrainian Border on Humanitarian Mission

WASHINGTON, March 11, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington CEO Gil Preuss is traveling to Poland and the Ukrainian border March 13-16 to take part in the Jewish Federations of North America's first official humanitarian mission to Ukraine to directly address the needs of 200,000 Ukrainian Jews on the ground.

During the mission, Preuss will aid relief efforts, speak with volunteers working on the ground, and meet with Ukrainian refugees – the majority of whom are women, children, and the elderly – to hear their experiences and offer help. Ahead of his departure, Preuss organized a donation drive to collect warm socks, coats, gloves, hats, scarves, diapers, feminine products, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and deodorant to personally bring to refugees in need.

"In this time of humanitarian crisis, I am traveling to the Ukraine border and Poland to bear witness firsthand to the Ukrainian Jewish community's hardships, and to assess how The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington can continue to provide support in the coming weeks and months in addition to the more than $1 million we have already raised through our emergency campaign," said Gil Preuss. "It will be my duty when I return home to Washington, DC to report all that I saw, and to mobilize our supporters to continue their outpouring of generosity."

Since Federation opened its Ukraine Emergency Fund just hours after the invasion, more than 2,000 community members have collectively donated over $1 million. One hundred percent of the dollars raised through the Fund are going to support Ukraine's Jewish community, and this funding is already making a crucial difference as the war continues through Federation's partnerships with the JDC and the Jewish Agency for Israel. To date, Federation and its partners have helped 1,000 Jewish Ukrainian refugees, including 100 orphans, arrive and begin the resettling process in Israel; provided food and emergency supplies to 1,500 Jewish refugees; and helped 3,000 Jewish refugees secure beds at transit facilities in four neighboring countries.

About The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington envisions an open, connected, and vibrant Jewish community that cares for each other, fosters Jewish learning and journeys, embraces Jewish peoplehood and Israel, and acts as a force for good in the world. As a mission-driven non-profit organization, we work to inspire, build, and sustain vibrant Jewish life in a changing world by mobilizing our community in common purpose, intentional innovation, and effective action. Learn more at shalomdc.org.

Media Contact

Adina Pollak, The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, 202-839-3527, [email protected]

SOURCE The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington