Page 2 - jr070622

Ukrainian refugees are coming to Portland

The United States govern- first $50,000 that was raised.
ment is admitting up to 100,000 LOCAL UKRAINE REFUGEE FUND All funds will go to support the
Ukraine refugees in the “Unit- new arrivals, whether they are
ing 4 Ukraine” (U4U) program, Donate: jewishportland.org/ukraine-crisis Jewish or not. The funds will
with 1,319 Ukrainian refugees Or mail checks to: help provide housing, trans-
scheduled to come to Portland Jewish Federation of Greater Portland portation, food, counseling, job
in the next few months. Ukraine Refugee Fund training, legal assistance and
The number of Jewish refu- assistance applying for govern-
gees who are coming is cur- 9900 SW Greenburg Road, Suite 220 ment benefits.
rently unknown. Portland’s Tigard, OR 97223 “Resettling refugees re-
Ukrainian population (ninth Memo Line: Ukraine Refugee Fund quires three things: money,
largest in the country) includes expertise and volunteers,”
refugees who arrived from the wrote JFGP President and
former Soviet Union during Operation Exodus in the 1990s. CEO Marc Blattner in his weekly email announcing the ar-
The Jewish Federation of Greater Portland has launched a cam- rivals and the new fundraising campaign. He asked those
paign to raise the funds to welcome and support Ukrainian refugees with expertise who can assist with housing (reduced cost
coming to Portland. Donate at jewishportland.org/ukraine-crisis. rentals), legal assistance or job training to email him at
When the war on Ukraine began, Portland’s Jewish community marc@jewishportland.org.
rallied to raise more than $450,000 to send overseas. “And, of course, we will need volunteers. ‘Welcome Circles’ are
Now the community needs to raise $150,000 by July 15 to cover being created, and additional people will be needed when families
the basic cost for each family arriving in Portland. In the first week, begin to arrive,” he wrote, adding more details will be available
the fund already raised $122,000. The Stern Family matched the when arrival dates are set.
Dignity Grows under Red Tent Share your stories of

Dignity Grows invites everyone to come 75 years of JFCS help
together under the Red Tent Aug. 28 for Everyone loves a good story. Do you have
an informative evening of connection, one about Jewish Family & Child Service?
learning, entertainment, desserts, drinks JFCS has been providing stability and hope
and activities to nurture body and soul. to Portland’s Jewish and greater communities
Red Tent gatherings, named for Anita since 1947. This is our 75th year, and we’re
Diamant’s best-selling novel, are a ref- seeking stories about how JFCS has helped
erence to the ancient law that required you, a friend or a loved one over the decades.
women to take refuge during menstrua- It’s been 75 years: we’re certain there are
tion and births. Red Tents are spaces to able shoulder bag. Each Dignity Grows some great anecdotes out there, as well as
come together, rest, share stories and care tote is filled with a full month’s supply photographs and memorabilia.
for one another. of hygiene products and period necessi- Perhaps your story is from a bygone era that
“By sponsoring just one hygiene tote ties. The totes are distributed by Dignity reflected a communal need at the time.
($10), people can register to attend the Grows partners, Transition Projects, Vir- For example, JFCS once helped facilitate
Red Tent Event and experience the beau- ginia Garcia Health Centers, Outside In, adoptions in the late 1970s, resettled Jewish
ty of Rosh Chodesh Elul and learn about Self-Enhancement, Inc., A Safe Place and refugees from the former Soviet Union, and
the work of Dignity Grows, our distribu- Divine Threads. provided household goods like kitchen sup-
tion partners and how they can get more Dignity Grows Portland has packed more plies and furniture to Holocaust survivors.
involved,” according to event chairs Deb- than 1,500 totes (and engaged over 180 Or perhaps your story reflects communal
bie Plawner and Nicole Sacks. “When volunteers) since starting in March 2021. needs evolving out of the pandemic.
people come together, magic happens. “But the demand from our partners out- JFCS pivoted immediately in March 2020
We invite all Sisterhood, ReJewvenation, strips our available funds,” says Plawner. from in-person counseling to providing
Rosh Chodesh ladies and those look- “The only way we can continue to pur- mental health assistance online, increased
ing to connect to come together under chase, pack and distribute these essential its reach into greater Portland to help more

the Red Tent to support Dignity Grows’ items is by inviting the community to clients than ever before with making rent or
efforts in eliminating period poverty.” sponsor totes,” says Nicole Sacks.. “We putting food on the table, and provided stim-
Dignity Grows Portland is a chapter of need to raise a minimum of $20,000 to ulating online arts and crafts gatherings for
a national nonprofit and a Jewish Federa- enable us to pack 2,000 totes in 2023. If our disabled clients.
tion of Greater Portland Women’s Philan- we raise more, no problem, the demand is Indeed, everyone loves a good story, and
thropy project. Nicole Sacks and Mark there and we will get packing.” JFCS is sharing yours throughout this 75th
Sacks are the Portland chairs. The Red Tent Event will be 7-9 pm, year. JFCS supports its community because
Human dignity should not be considered Aug. 28, at Congregation Neveh Shalom. you support JFCS. Reach into your memory
a luxury, yet one in four menstruators in The event is open to those 13 and older; banks – including boxes of photos and filing
the United States experience period pov- full vaccination is required. Registration cabinets. Remind us how things were and help
erty, lacking the financial resources to is limited to 150 individuals. us celebrate!
purchase basic menstrual-hygiene neces- Register at jewishportland.org/red-tent. To participate, contact JFCS Communi-
sities. Dignity Grows provides free hy- Make a donation without attending at cations Manager Jenn Director Knudsen at
giene essentials packed in a discrete reus- jewishportland.org/dignity-grows. jdirectorknudsen@jfcs-portland.org.
2 Jewish Review July 6, 2022