PK Israel has been working closely with a group of immigrant women whose children are cancer patients. The PKI team has provided warm clothing, gift cards for food, and Hebrew courses, emotional support groups, and art classes to help with their adjustment.
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Project Kesher
@ProjectKesher
Project Kesher supports a network of leaders in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Israel as they advocate for Jewish community, civil society, and gender equality.
Project Kesher’s Tweets
In October, the PK Ukraine team hosted four live informational broadcasts with medical professionals, reached 3,000 women with reminders about annual check ups and self-exams, and provided 400 women with diagnostic appointments. Your continued support makes this possible.
Project Kesher Ukraine launched a new program at the request of the PKU network's women leaders, to promote the exchange of ideas, skills, and knowledge in safe spaces for women.
Please join us in wishing a very happy birthday to Project Kesher CEO Karyn Grossman Gershon!
Project Kesher Israel hosted an educational session for new immigrants on voting in Israel. Participants learned about the parliamentary system, the Knesset, and the importance of government representation to new immigrants' lives.
Project Kesher Ukraine launched an English Language Program to help Ukrainian women practice the English they need to survive.
Rabbi Olya Weinstein had a busy month educating Israelis about the High Holidays. Rabbi Weinstein was interviewed seven times on radio and TV stations in Hebrew and Russian about the status of Ukrainian immigrants at this time and women in Jewish life, and Project Kesher Israel.
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During Sukkot, PKI participants enjoyed an art class led by recent immigrant to Israel, Galina Shevtzov. She never imagined that her classes would gain traction so quickly. The classes have empowered Galina as an entrepreneur and provide joy and community for the participants.
Simchat Torah celebrations were held in 6 cities across Ukraine with the support of Project Kesher Ukraine and with Torah scrolls donated as part of the Torah Return Project. Read more: bit.ly/pksimchattorah
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Ukrainians are suffering from trauma during this ongoing tragic war. Tools for addressing PTSD and anxiety are not accessible to millions of refugees. Learn about what Project Kesher is doing to address this mental health crisis.
PK Ukraine's charitable fund was able to purchase an ultrasound machine for Dr. Nataliya Lelyukh, Ukrainian OBGYN, to continue providing services to women in need. Upon recieving the critical gift she shared, “PKU, thank you to heaven and back.” bit.ly/PKEmergencyFun
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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Project Kesher Ukraine is organizing a breast health campaign to support women during the war.
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Despite ongoing war and displacement, PK Ukraine is organizing in-person Simchat Torah celebrations in nine cities. Six of these holiday celebrations will be using Project Kesher Torahs, donated as part of Project Kesher's Torah Return Project.
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PK Ukraine recently launched its own stamp collection in collaboration with the Ukraine Post Authority. The stamps say, “Come home,” and “Our hearts are with you.” The proceeds will fund hygiene kits for women from de-occupied territories.
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In preparation for their first Rosh Hashanah during war, the PKU team, recognizing the importance of sharing traditions among its Ukrainian-speaking network, created the first ever Ukrainian language Rosh Hashanah guide. Learn more and see the full guide: bit.ly/rhguideukraini
We never could have imagined how bitter this past year would be but the sweet outpouring of love, support, and philanthropy for Project Kesher Ukraine has sustained our work. We pray that this new year will bring with it renewal and peace. Shana Tova from Project Kesher.
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Project Kesher Ukraine’s Women’s Opportunity Fund has opened a call to support Ukrainian women starting and in some cases restarting their own businesses as they settle into their new communities.
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Thank you to those who joined us for . PK CEO Karyn Gershon shared: Its power is not only in its ability to capture the resilience and humanity of the Jewish partisans but in its relevance to the fight for freedom and independence that we are witnessing in Ukraine.
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Ukrainian women in the PK network have found comfort in gathering together virtually across the globe for Rosh Chodesh, a holiday that marks the beginning of every Hebrew month.
We are saddened to hear about the passing of NPR foreign correspondent and Project Kesher friend Anne Garrels. Anne graciously spoke to the PK community in 2016 about her book, Putin Country: A Journey Into The Real Russia. May her memory be a blessing.
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A group of Ukrainian immigrants who recently joined PK Israel met with Rabbi Olya Weinstein to discuss the upcoming Jewish holidays that most of them will celebrate for the first time in Israel.
PK Israel is offering a three month Hebrew course in Petach Tikva for Ukrainian women refugees. The course will cover the Hebrew alphabet, vowels, basic vocabulary, and everyday expressions and phrases. bitly.com/donatetopk
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At Project Kesher we have always known the strength of Ukrainian women and this year we have been even more inspired by their strength.
Findings indicate over 79% of those surveyed remembered feeling “Supported” when they read messages from FemSMS. Learn more: bit.ly/FEMSMS
Project Kesher is proud to partner with Reboot and ITWorks on helping displaced Ukrainians launch their careers in Israel’s tech industry.
Rabbi Olya Weinstein and Tel Aviv LGBTQ+ Center volunteer Evit Kado were invited to speak on an international Telegram channel that broadcasts to Russian-speaking LGBTQ+ communities in Israel.
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Join us for an Exclusive Briefing from Ukraine this Wednesday at 12pm EST via Zoom. Register now: forms.gle/4aASkB192SPovK
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As part of PKU's Visiting Moms program, PKU is hosting a series of four webinars for mothers and pregnant women. Childcare and medical professionals are providing information and answering questions about breastfeeding, pediatrics, and postnatal rehabilitation and psychology.
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Project Kesher Israel’s women’s group in Petach Tikva gathered for an art class with local artist Galina Shetzov to create illustrations of the motifs of the Torah.
Join us on 8/24 at 12pm ET for an exclusive update with PK staff in Ukraine, Europe, and Israel. Learn how the war is impacting Jewish women and girls and what the pressing needs are after six months of war. Register here: forms.gle/Z35dqCNFS55RQX
PK Israel's group of immigrants in Ashkelon spent an evening with Sofia Akselrod, an educator who focuses on creative midrashic readings of Jewish books for children for adults. The event helped connect new immigrants to the Jewish stories that their children will grow up with.
With more than 26 million subscribers, Kyivstar is the largest provider of cell phone coverage in Ukraine. PK Ukraine has partnered with Kyivstar to provide anti-trafficking information on phone screens as Ukrainians cross the border and receive rate-change notifications.
PK Israel continues to support new immigrants from Ukraine in coping with economic, emotional, and cultural gaps. Rabbi Olya Weinstein recently held a discussion with the group about religion and feminism. It was the first time that most of them had met a woman rabbi.
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Mazel tov, Vlada! The Project Kesher community congratulates PK Ukraine Executive Director Vlada Nedak for graduating from her MBA program at Lviv Business School of Ukraine Catholic University. Read her speech: bit.ly/mazeltovvlada
PK Israel held a discussion with Rabbi Olya Weinstein and two keynote speakers, psychologist Ella Berchansky and feminist researcher Assia Isstoshina, to discuss the issue of how to communicate effectively with people who hold opposing opinions and views. 70 people attended.
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50 women, all new immigrants to Israel, participated in a study tour held by Project Kesher Israel in Jaffa. Participants learned a lot about the history and culture of Israel and met many new friends from different cities across the country.
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Project Kesher was first contacted a couple of months ago about the need for a first aid response to sexual assault in the conflict zones. Learn about PK's response:
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Project Kesher Israel continues supporting women whose lives have been impacted by the war. In Petach Tikva and Jerusalem, PKI's women's groups are discussing how to cope with traumatic events and learning about women's status, financial literacy, and Jewish life in Israel.
PK Ukraine recently provided support for 50 displaced Ukrainian women and children living in a school in a small town in Western Ukraine. Some of the families have no home to return to. PKU purchased fans, vacuum cleaners and a month's worth of resources.
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