A pastor in Melbourne, Florida, recently helped Jewish people in Ukraine amid the ongoing conflicts in the country. Rev. Gary Cristofano is part of Ezra International, a global nonprofit.
Rescue, Return, Restore
In a report with Spectrum News, the pastor said that the organization is doing what it can to provide relief to other people. The motto of the nonprofit is to Rescue, Return, Restore.
The mission organization has been helping Jewish people return to Israel for the past 25 years.
Now, the group targets to do the same thing for Jewish people in Ukraine. The organization said that it would provide humanitarian relief for those who find themselves trapped in the country.
The reverend explained that some could not leave Ukraine on their own, so they needed help. Thus, the organization stepped up to give aid.
Victims of Persecution
In the report, the reverend further mentioned that poor people are usually the victims of persecution. He explained that they are doing what they can to bring them home to Israel. The priest told the news outlet that their mission is to ensure they get home safe.
The nonprofit reportedly helps people in getting back from countries like the former USSR. The group also assists in helping them document their Jewish ancestry.
Aside from that, they also help process their visas, passports, and financial help for their trip home.
According to the report, over 86,000 Jewish people were sent home by the nonprofit. Half of these people were originally stranded in Ukraine.
Cristofano said that these Jewish people were Ukrainian citizens one day and Russian citizens the next. He told the news outlet that they were in a unique situation to help them because they worked in both countries.
The report said that Ezra International monitors the entire Ukraine situation.
The faith leader stressed that their team is doing what it can to get ready. He added that they were dealing with a situation that played the waiting game.
Cristofano admitted that they did not know what to expect on the outcome of the conflict. Thus, they are standing by for the worst-case scenario.
The group will also reportedly house and feed any refugees until they can get out of harm's way.
Helping Children in Ukraine
According to the website, Ezra International is a Christian nonprofit organization that helps low-income Jewish people return to Israel.
Its special project is Ukraine Child Rescue, where the nonprofit rescues children from abuse and neglect.
According to the website, many young children are victims of their parents who suffer from drug and alcohol abuse.
The organization began a street feeding program in 1998. The mobile unit targeted the areas with lower-income families. To date, the nonprofit has a Child Rescue Mobile Unit in the country.
The initiative works with Christian and Ukrainian professionals where the Ukraine Social Services refers cases to their unit. The project believes in working together for the restoration of children and families.
The mobile unit works in poor areas in Ukraine. Staff also includes child psychologists and social workers who help the children during their time of trauma.
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