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“They Have No Bomb Shelters”

February 25, 2022

My Ukrainian Israeli friend was badly shaken as she talked about the news of war in Ukraine. “Ukraine isn’t prepared for attacks like Israel,” she said. “They have no bomb shelters.” I watched videos of bombs falling on Ukrainian civilian centers on her husband’s phone, just sent from friends. While I don’t know if there are zero bomb shelters, I have also had firsthand accounts from Jewish people in eastern Ukraine who huddled in their building’s basement for protection. In Israel, we know and love many people of Ukrainian background. Our Israeli papers are full of the current crisis, as everyone here knows someone from Ukraine.

I have personally been in Ukraine many times because of our partnership with Erza International and our work to bring the Jewish people to Israel. Over the past 25 years, we have helped over 86,397 Jewish people come home to Israel from the countries of the former Soviet Union. In 2021, during the midst of a worldwide pandemic, 5,485 came to Israel with our help, 1,446 of them from Ukraine, which is more than 25% of the total.

What is happening in Ukraine is tragic and heartbreaking. We understand that 11 airports have been bombed, civilian air travel halted and the roads are jammed with people trying to get out of the danger zones. Most of the Ezra/Project Rescue workers have chosen to stay in their cities to continue to help Jewish people they have already been working with. All of this is at extreme danger to them and the Jewish people trying to go to Israel. Please pray for their safety. Pray that God will give them specific direction as they maneuver in an increasingly dangerous crisis time.

The Israeli embassy has moved more than a 7-hour journey from the capital city of Kyiv to the city of Lviv, which is close to the Polish border. Israeli friends in high positions have told me that Israel has an emergency evacuation strategy. Because the airports are closed, they are working today to get 3,000 people through land crossings into other countries to fly them to Israel. All of this comes at an increased cost amid extremely hazardous conditions.

Many of our Christian friends have been contacting us to ask how they can help.

1. Pray for our Christian team members in Ukraine that God will protect them and give them innovative ways to help the Jewish people to come to Israel and be safeguarded in the meantime.
2. Pray for God’s protection, as a number of risks could materialize. There is a risk of inflation caused by further supply chain interruptions. Western sanctions against Russia could have unintended negative consequences in the banking sector in the West. There could be a restriction in the flow of funds. There could be a cybersecurity risk as the Russians are highly skilled in the area of cyber fraud. There is also the political risk. Since Israel has condemned Russia’s actions, Russia has now lashed out at Israel, saying the Golan Heights is not Israel but rather Syria. Russia is closely allied with both Syria and Iran, both avowed enemies of Israel. Russia could mobilize its military might against Israel, either directly or through Iranian proxies in the region (Hezbollah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad). It wouldn’t be difficult to imagine the prophecies concerning Gog and Magog materializing before our eyes, so pray the Scriptures of protection for Israel. “Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Ps. 121:4)
3. Give generously so we can continue both the vital work of aliyah (Jewish immigration to Israel) through Project Rescue and standing with the Israeli teams that are working nonstop to bring as many of their Jewish brothers as possible to safety in Israel. The fastest way to give is through our website. The sooner we have the funds, the quicker we can release them for lifesaving action.

This is the time God has allowed us to live in. Let’s ask Him what role He has for each of us in these perilous times. As the Lord told Joshua, “Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Josh. 1:9)

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