Helping the Neediest Jews Brave Harsh Winter
The Mardakhayev children were so cold, their parents had to burn their own furniture for warmth. Read how JDC helps them and a destitute grandmother survive the harsh winters in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Feature Stories
Country
Topic
-
-
Teaching Literacy: One Ethiopian-Israeli Girl's Metamorphosis
In Israel's new initiative for at-risk youth, local communities cast a loud vote for JDC-Ashalim's groundbreaking programs, which are now reaching tens of thousands of additional children. Learn about an Ethiopian-Israeli student who is benefiting from one flagship initiative.
-
JDC Helps Haitian Teenager Rise Above the Rubble
Jennifer A., a 16-year-old Haitian girl with nine siblings, recently took her first steps—for the second time. On January 12th while Jennifer was studying French literature, the walls of her classroom shook until they collapsed. In her flight for safety, Jennifer’s leg was crushed and she lost consciousness. When she awoke, her leg had been amputated. But Jennifer learned she was one of the lucky ones; many of her classmates had not made it out of the rubble alive. Still, she had little hope of ever standing again until she met a JDC-supported Israeli medical team at Haiti’s University Hospital and received the treatment and encouragement she needed.
-
Forging a Stronger Jewish Identity under the Summer Sun
In the former Soviet bloc countries of Central and Eastern Europe, where entire generations were cut off from their Jewish heritage and community life was actively discouraged, Jewish camping is a meaningful and effective outlet for building Jewish awareness and identity among children and families. These “total immersion” Jewish educational experiences have been a key part of JDC’s Jewish renewal activities for more than two decades, helping thousands of people in the region rediscover their Jewish roots and connect to a culturally rich and enduring community.