Ukrainian Wartime Relief
The Tomiak Foundation, through the Tomiak sisters’ lifelong devotion to their homeland of Ukraine, has actively sought opportunities to provide relief to the Ukrainian people during this time of renewed conflict with Russia. In 2018, the foundation donated to the Federation of Jewish Communities of the CIS. The Federation is undertaking much needed humanitarian work for the benefit of the children and families of the Jewish community of Zhitomir, Ukraine.
Below is the heartfelt letter we received in response to our grant, from Rabbi Shlomo Wilhem of the Federation. He details just how urgent the situation on the ground in Ukraine is, and how far contributions from friends and supporters can go - particularly in service to children.
We commend Rabbi Wilhelm and his entire community for the tremendous work they are doing.
Dear all members of the Gladys and Mildred Tomiak Foundation, Inc ,
Shalom and warm blessings,
Hereby I hasten to enclose on behalf of all Jews of Zhitomir a wholehearted respect and sincere gratitude for longstanding fellowship and your generous financial support of our activities in Zhitomir.
Zhitomir’s Jewish roots extend back over hundreds of years and sadly has had its abundance of tragedy and death during the periods of the pogroms, the holocaust and Communist rule.
Today, it is a totally different story. Zhitomir has become the proud center of Jewish activity for the whole of Western Ukraine. The community’s Jewish institutions provide for all the needs of the community, spiritual, physical and social. The large, proud and growing Jewish community now proudly boasts institutions and services catering to the needs of all ages:
Kindergartens, Schools, Talmud Torah, Seminary, Youth clubs, Soup kitchen, Synagogue and community center and Home for Children (orphans and children in need or at risk).
We have over 300 students in our institutions and over 1000 children who receive ongoing humanitarian aid, including, food, clothing and medical care. Over 20,000 Jews receive spiritual and physical aid before holidays and throughout the year.
The economic situation in Ukraine has always left much to be desired but in the past few years since the outbreak of war with Russia, Ukraine has been thrown back 20 years into the past. The economy is shot and has taken a massive toll on families and society in general. As a result, our Children’s Home was called upon to absorb close to 80 children who have been suffering in either abusive homes or in families where the parents cannot afford to feed or clothe them.
Thanks to G-d, through the years, the institution has rehabilitated hundreds of children, who thanks to the institution have received a good education, psychological treatment and much love and support. Many have since married and moved to Israel to raise their families.
In attachment, I send you a certificate for your assistance in 2018, as well as the planned budget for 2019. I would be thankful and forever grateful, if you could help us this year too and literally help save the physical and spiritual lives of thousands of Jews in Zhitomir and the surrounding region.
With warm and personal blessings,
Rabbi Shlomo Wilhelm
Zhitomir, Ukraine
Food and Medical Supplies
The Tomiak Foundation awarded a grant of $17,500 to the United Ukrainian American Relief Committee (UUARC) - a charity dedicated to serving Ukrainian communities around the world.
Founded in 1944, the UUARC got its start giving a helping hand to the thousands of refugees who emigrated to the US after the Second World War. Today, it provides food, clothing, medical supplies to people affected by the current war in Ukraine. Special attention is given to orphanages, schools, hospitals, the aged and infirm. The UUARC is a staunch supporter of Ukraine’s incredibly valiant men and women who have risked everything to defend Ukraine from Russia during the present war. Stateside, the UUARC provides support for recent immigrants, and is often the first to come to the rescue of people affected by natural disasters and mining accidents in the northeastern US.
The Tomiak Foundation expresses enormous gratitude to the UUARC for its enduring commitment to the well-being of Ukrainians around the world.