A Passover Message from ALEPH:  Alliance for Jewish Renewal

Passover is the most widely acknowledged Jewish holy-day. Moses represents our highest sense
of calling to respond to the suffering of the world as we know it. It is Moses’ charge by Divine
calling to do something about the situation he personally knew first-hand.

The voice of the Divine speaking at the burning bush says:

‘I have surely seen the affliction of My people that are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by
reason of their taskmasters; for I know their pains
and I am come down to deliver them…
And now, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto Me; more over I have seen the
oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.
Come now therefore, and I will send you unto Pharaoh, that you may bring out My people the
children of Israel out of Egypt.’

Moses responds saying:

And Moses said unto God: ‘Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring out
the children of Israel out of Egypt?’ Exodus 3:7-11

Before Passover, ALEPH usually sends our whole community, a request for financial support of
its work, knowing that it is a time when many of us are maximally involved in our Jewish
heritage, especially our commitment to help end the suffering of those oppressed. Our call of
the moment this year is to direct financial support to help with the humanitarian crisis in
Ukraine and with the needs of millions of refugees.

Here are a few possible places where you might choose to send your support. Please let those
with whom you are sharing a seder know of your action and how they can join in as well.

From our rabbinic friends who went to Poland last week to help:

“The Krakow JCC is an amazing recipient—they are open 7 days a week for refugees to come
and get needed supplies—clothing diapers, etc. And they are housing over 200 people in hotels
until they can figure out where they are going. They are also partnering with many agencies in
town who are also doing refugee work:”

https://www.friendsofjcckrakow.org/ukraine

Here is a list from a source born in Ukraine:

Google doc for international supporters with a full list of charities: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1agAW4CQEdi5cDCSa8l8C5ez6Yflz5zaVIzMEg
ehqwq0/edit
Nova Ukraine, a non-profit civil society booster (based in Palo Alto): https://novaukraine.org/
Razom, humanitarian aid: https://razomforukraine.org/donate/
Sunflower of Peace, aid for orphans, refugees, and displaced people:
facebook.com/sunflowerofpeace/ 
Direct donations to the Ukrainian Army: https://savelife.in.ua/en/donate/
An additional list of nonprofits: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co

From all of us at ALEPH we wish you a sweet Passover. May this Sacred observance inspire us all
to hear and respond to the cries of the world.

Rabbi Jeff Roth
For the ALEPH Board of Directors