Dear Friends,

We have collected over $2500 to assist Olha, Sashko and Yasya. Some of that money has been released and the bulk will be sent to them this coming week. Please see Olha's response upon learning that additional moneys were collected and will be sent to her.

"Dear Sharon,

It's a pleasure to hear from you. And I am really glad that you are going on a family vacation, I miss such trips.

Actually, I thought that the amount of money you've sent me was the final amount. So, it's a surprise for me that you will send some extra money. I really appreciate it. Now I am totally thinking about the apartment deals -- I need to find an apartment for us from October, and I need to find school for Yasya -- I am very happy that I do not need to worry about money for the first time. I will not forget your help. And, of course, I will be glad to receive some letters from children from the synagogue (Yasya does not read in English, so I will help her).

Tonight we are going to visit Lviv, the most Western city of Ukraine. I missed my husband, Sashko, and Yaroslava missed her dad. She said that she will hug him and won't let him go. And it makes me almost cry because I have bought the tickets to Krakow today, and I am afraid to say goodbye again. It is hard to understand that you cannot go home safely, yet.

In Lviv I will also see my father, I missed him too. Then I will go to my home in Kyiv to visit my orthodont, and Yasya will stay with her dad in Lviv. Such a strange feeling... I haven't been there for a half of a year.

How I am sitting in McDonald's in Krakow while waiting for my daughter from the daily camp. I used to write a new book about three 14-years girls from Kyiv, who evacuated to Poland during the war. But I cannot even think about some artistic work now.

Thank you for your help -- again and many times.

Sincerely yours

Olha"

There is a saying from the Talmud that when you save one life, it is as if you have saved the whole world. Thank you to all who have contributed and who continue to contribute. As always, if you would like to write to Olha, you can do so by emailing her at kuprolya@gmail.com.

All the best,

Israeli, Jewish & Community Affairs Committee