This past week Odessa, Ukraine was bombarded incessantly with missiles. Donors across the world have united in an impressive fundraising effort to raise millions of dollars to help Ukrainian refugees, an incredible feat that has saved hundreds of physical lives ever since this terrible war started. But one haunting question remains-
What about their spiritual lives?
Rav Vigler, a man who fled Odessa himself and saw the horrors with his very eyes, has recently placed himself on a crucial mission- To save the refugees not only physically, but spiritually as well. A recipient of his kindness shares her moving experience:
“My name is Sheindy Avramenko and I fled Odessa with my husband and son, Yitzchak.
This week was supposed to be our son’s Bar Mitzvah. Yitzchak was so down, knowing that we couldn’t afford to do anything at all for him. When suddenly, Rabbi Vigler knocked on our door. He drove Yitzchak to the Western Wall, got strangers to sing for him, and even got him a Torah reading by the Western Wall. He bought him tefillin and a beautiful tefillin bag. He said he will try to help us raise funds to send Yitzchok to a Jewish school this upcoming year.
My son came home with his eyes shining bright with something I had never seen before- The fire of Judaism, and the flame of Torah. You are not only saving lives– You are saving precious souls. Thank you so much. Please continue doing whatever you are doing!”
Funds are currently being raised to save the lost souls of Ukraine. To save the future of Judaism for thousands of people, click here.