Project Spotlight: Helping Those in Poverty in the FSU IFCJ Canada | July 11, 2025 (Photo: JDC) Across the former Soviet Union, thousands of Jewish elderly and Holocaust survivors are living in heartbreaking poverty and isolation. Many, like 71-year-old Shafag, not only face severe physical challenges—she suffers from multiple sclerosis—but also the emotional toll of deep loneliness. Though she is surrounded by kind neighbours, Shafag still relies on essential support for her basic needs. That’s where IFCJ Canada and our trusted partner Hesed come in. Thanks to generous supporters like you, Shafag receives food, medicine, therapy, homecare visits, and even help with heating bills during the brutal winter months. But the support goes beyond physical necessities. Many of these precious souls yearn for spiritual connection and the comfort of Jewish traditions. Because of your compassion, they know they are not forgotten. As it says in Scripture, “Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God” (Leviticus 19:32, NIV). Learn how your support brings hope to those in desperate need.
