The Impact of the Ongoing War on Ukraine's Jewish Community

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine marks its fourth anniversary, the lives of Ukrainian Jews have been profoundly altered. Viktoria Maksimovich, a teacher at the Sha’alavim Jewish Day School in Kharkiv, reports that her students no longer seek shelter during air raid sirens, indicating a troubling normalization of violence. The ongoing conflict has reshaped daily life, compelling decisions that range from whether to take the stairs in high-rise buildings to the more significant choice of whether to remain in Ukraine or flee. With Russian strikes frequently targeting energy infrastructure, many elderly Jews are isolated in their homes, prompting community initiatives to deliver essential supplies.

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Before the full-scale invasion, Ukraine was home to approximately 40,000 Jews, according to the Institute for Jewish Policy Research. However, the war has driven thousands to seek refuge in Israel and Europe, significantly altering the Jewish demographic landscape. Julia Goldenberg, founder of the Ukrainian Charitable Funds, anticipates that worsening conditions will lead to further emigration, particularly among families seeking safety for their children, who have faced trauma and disruption in their education.

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Jewish educational institutions have faced numerous challenges during the conflict. Inna Federova, head of the Orach Chaim school, describes how the war has fractured the community, with many families scattered across Europe. The school has adapted by providing rudimentary instruction and emotional support, including physical activities in bomb shelters to help children cope with anxiety. Rabbi Irina Gritsevskaya highlights the psychological toll on children, noting that many struggle with sleep and respond anxiously to sounds.

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Support for Ukrainian Jews has come from various organizations, including the Joint Distribution Committee and Chabad. These groups have been instrumental in providing disaster response and maintaining Jewish life in Ukraine. Despite concerns that the conflict in Israel might divert donor attention, Gritsevskaya emphasizes the solidarity within the Jewish community, stating that aid has continued to flow, fostering a sense of unity and resilience.

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As the war continues, community leaders remain focused on the future. Gritsevskaya plans to return to Ukraine for a summer camp aimed at providing relief for Jewish teens. Federova expresses optimism, stating that the school serves as a vital connection for children from diverse backgrounds, instilling knowledge and faith even in the face of uncertainty. "If we can give them knowledge and faith, then we have done something important," she asserts, highlighting the enduring spirit of the Jewish community in Ukraine.

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• “They don’t want to hear the alarms. They don’t care about the shots and bombs. They don’t care about it. This is the biggest problem right now, as they won’t look for a shelter,” — Viktoria Maksimovich, Teacher

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• “I think in the Jewish community, there is a huge sense of being hugged,” — Rabbi Irina Gritsevskaya

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• “Even during the hardest times when the alarms go off and when we don’t know what will happen tomorrow, I look at them and think ‘if we can give them knowledge and faith, then we have done something important.” — Inna Federova, Head of Orach Chaim School

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While many sources agree on the challenges faced by the Jewish community in Ukraine, there is a lack of consensus regarding the exact number of Jews who have fled the country since the invasion began. Additionally, the long-term implications of the war on Jewish life in Ukraine remain uncertain, with varying predictions about future emigration trends.

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