Spotlight

The Odessa Jewish Community

Rabbi Abraham Wolf's Urgent Appeal for Assistance

Rabbi Wolf shows the dire circumstances facing the community and their pressing need for support amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

"Mommy, why is our table empty this Rosh Hashana?"

As we hear the shofar’s piercing cry this year, there are children scattered across Israel who are crying, too.

Watch a film that will leave you far from indifferent

Watch a film that will leave you far from indifferent: A mother of four begs you, Help me build a mikveh

Historic concert celebrates unity and solidarity | Video

In extraordinary display of unity & solidarity, 15,000 Jews from diverse backgrounds across New York & New Jersey gather for historic event.

Toddler May Be Homeless This Rosh Hashanah

With less than a week until Rosh Hashanah, the prospect of spending the Chag on the streets may become a reality for one-year-old Esther.

Toddler May Be Homeless This Rosh Hashanah

With less than a week until Rosh Hashanah, the prospect of spending the Chag on the streets may become a reality for one-year-old Esther.

8 Kids Left Behind

The pain of their loss is immeasurable.

BREAKING:

Bank Gives Widow Heart-Stopping Ultimatum

Malkie and her three young children are terrified at the prospect of being evicted from the only home they have ever known.

Family of mother who died in childbirth faces ongoing struggle

Pregnant mother carrying twins passes away R"L; doctors struggle to save lone surviving twin.

Meir Panim fights hunger during the holidays, one meal at a time

Volunteers make it possible for 86 cents out of every donated dollar to be allocated to food, top Meir Panim staffer says.

Every Time He Does This, They Fear For His Life

Joy swiftly turned to distress for the Rivkin family when they discovered that their tiny baby had a rare condition.

The Greatest Gift:

Eternal Rest in Eretz Hakodesh

Even if someone did not merit to live in the holy land, they can still be brought for burial here.

Your Home in the Center of Yerushalayim is Going Up Now

Large, 4 room luxury apartments in Jerusalem going for only $1M.

The Real Reason This Mother And Daughter Are So Close In Age

Less than 18 years separate the two. Mom was married off at the young age of 17, in an arranged shidduch common in insular Chareidi circles.

Community rallies together in amazing outpouring of kindness

Many readers have commented on how moved they are to see the community’s generosity.

Urgent Appeal: A family in crisis needs your help

Family with 6 children struggling to live day by day with medical costs from mother's long-term illness.

Exclusive interview:

Meaningful Minute speaks with Ishay Ribo

Exclusive interview by Meaningful Minute: Ishay Ribo speaks about uniting Jews through music at Madison Square Garden Concert.

Heartbreaking tragedy in Los Angeles

Mrs. Sara Chana Fasman passed away suddenly, leaving behind a broken husband and 4 children.

Israeli animal trafficker faces harsh conditions in African jail

Bnei Brak Resident, 39, Arrested for Smuggling 59 Rare Turtles, Faces Harsh Conditions in Detention in the cruelest African prison

“My Mommy doesn’t know I’m writing this”

My mommy and Daddy tell me that I need to be brave because I have to fight a big, scary monster named Cancer.

An Accessible Path to Burial in the Holy Land

For countless Jews residing outside Israel, the prospect of eternal rest in the Holy Land carries profound spiritual significance.

Diti and her large tumor

The doctors were so preoccupied with her that they had no time to speak with me.

It could happen to anyone.

Israeli Man Receives Threatening Note In Foreign Language

The alarm bells truly began to ring when he received intimidating letters, written in Polish, accusing him of tax evasion.

Israeli woman’s death brought family’s sad secret to light

The Itzkowitz family story has left the Jewish community in shock: Tamar was only in her lower thirties when she passed away.

World’s largest Jewish concert

Ishay Ribo to host Akiva and Amir Dadon

The concert is part of Ribo’s fabled Elul tour, where traditional tunes meet a modern twist.

AFJS:

"We need ambassadors, people to spread the truth"

American Friends of Judea and Samaria representative Josh Hasten calls for more people to spread the truth about Judea and Samaria.

If Teen Doesn’t Complete This Task, She May Die

Time is ticking - help Esther cross “life-saving treatment” off her to-do list today. It will be effective only in the next few months.

AFJS's Yigal Dilmoni:

'Miracles are occurring in Judea and Samaria'

Yesha Council official Yigal Dilmoni says Jewish population has grown from 0 in 1967 to half a million today in Judea and Samaria.

Children Separated Brutally From Mother

A mother of four, has been living apart from her children for months. Illness has brutally separated them, forcing her to live in Hospital

Urgent Humanitarian Appeal

Ukrainian Embassy Calls for Aid to Jewish Communities in Odessa

"Urgent Humanitarian Appeal: Devastation Strikes Odessa Orphanage as Missiles Leave Surroundings in Ruins"

Judea and Samaria:

"Help us deliver the truth"

Jack J. Gindi, board member of American Friends of Judea and Samaria, tells how best to connect to the heart of the Land of Israel.

When the cancer fills my lungs, even the respirator won't help

My last chance is a very expensive surgery, and then a long series of very hard treatments. My parents can't afford to pay for all I need.

The reason this woman stopped lighting Shabbat candles

Shabbat in the Friedman house used to be happy.

Who said an apartment in Yerushalayim is out of reach?

Your dream of owning an apartment in Yerushalayim is closer than ever. Buy your dream with only a $150,000 down payment.

Cancer Survivor Can’t Afford To Get Married

Losing a spouse. Fighting cancer as a teenager. Israeli mom Rochel and daughter Devora have been through it all.

What does Tu B'Av have to do with Fruit Trees?

The sages said that Tu B'Av is one of the 2 greatest festivals of the year, yet they ordained no special observances for it.

Double tragedy strikes Ferber family

In just the span of two months, the family's life has turned into a heart-wrenching battle for survival.

AFJS:

How you can spread the truth on Judea and Samaria

American Friends of Judea and Samaria aims to spread the truth, change the global narrative on the Jewish people's rights in its homeland.

Nightmare May Become Bride’s Reality

With only 36 hours until the wedding, Chana Haberman is growing increasingly desperate. Will the wedding be able to take place as scheduled?

Join VIP strategic impact tours throughout Judea and Samaria

American Friends of Judea and Samaria (AFJS) is offering three VIP strategic impact tours throughout Judea and Samaria this August.

"I always saw stories online...I never thought we'd be one."

This isn't playtime at home. This is the stark reality of a hospital and chemo sessions.

Headline: Every Patient Deserves A Hero That Can Fly

Hatzolah Air soars to the greatest heights and flies to the farthest corners to save and protect our people.

Odessa struck by extensive missile attack

The city of Odessa was bombarded last night in one of the worst attacks the Ukraine war has seen yet.

US Jewry plays significant role in Israeli-Azerbaijani relations

Azerbaijan's leadership has begun a policy of outreach to world Jewish leaders, continuing a centuries-old tradition of brotherly relations.

Please Help us raise the $10,000 to save the world called Miri

3-month-old Miri was born with a cancerous tumor in her spleen.

Hatzalah Without Borders:

Resilience and dedication

'Real Talk' with Natalie Sopinsky, from the "Hatzalah Without Borders" organization

Diaspora Minister visits Chabad refugee camp in Poland

Chabad of Poland partners with Diaspora Min. to host summer camp for Ukrainian-Jewish refugees, build school for refugee children.

Israel's alliance with Azerbaijan:

Why should we harm our friends for the benefit of the enemy?

Trading the only real friends in the Muslim world for a handshake with an obvious Iranian ally is not a mistake. It is suicide.

Why this woman is worried about her teenage son

“I think any more pain would break them.”

Help us raise the remaining $60,000 To save Rivkys life

It's not a given that little Rivky will see her first birthday.

Discover Your Path to Eternal Rest in Jerusalem

As Jews, our connection to the Land of Israel runs deep. That's why many of us dream of being buried in Israel, preferably Jerusalem.

This bride is an absolute heroine

14 days before her wedding, Chana’s working from dawn till dusk AND taking care of her family.

A Successful Philanthropist's Biggest Downfall

Sometimes, the most successful people have the furthest to fall.

Hatzalah Member - 32-Year-Old, Mother of 4 - Dies in Accident

In addition to volunteering as an EMT, Dana Ben Shoshan was a midwife and member of the Adele and Joel Sandberg's women's initiative.

Stranded in a Foreign Land:

Teenager's Cancer Treatment Plunges Family into Financial Crisis

Vicky, the mother of Or, shares the heart-wrenching story of their journey to Vienna for Or's life-saving cancer treatment.

Racheli's Life-Saving Journey Commences

Racheli has finally reached the point where her body is ready for the crucial surgery.

The fight for 13-year-old Tovi’s life

Due to Tovi's critical condition, doctors recommended a major and exceedingly costly surgical procedure, which her parents could not afford.

Takuma 2023 asks for public support to continue its campaign

The movement which leads the campaign to support Judicial Reform turns to the public partner in supporting the promotion of the reform.

Intl Summit at EU Parliament:

“The Jews have an obligation to the Azeris in Iran”

“The Jews were persecuted for many years and we know well how it feels,” stated Rabbi Zamir Isayev.

Orphans left completely alone:

'Our dream is to have a stable home and a normal life'

The family made Aliyah expecting better things, but a series of unforeseen tragedies left them completely alone to fend for themselves.