Ukraine native Polina Blinder shares her thoughts about life in Odessa since the beginning of the Russian invasion.

As Educational Program Coordinator of Migdal JCC, Polina coordinates programming for school children and teenagers and has recently shifted her focus to better meet the needs of the community at large.

“For those members of our community who have remained here, our presence in the city is very important. They feel that we are next to them. And that we continue our work and support them. And it’s very important for many people and for our community in Odessa,” Polina says.

The Associated’s Baltimore-Odessa Partnership is 30 years strong and our people-to-people connections and support of organizations in Odessa, like the Migdal JCC, is so meaningful to both communities – now more than ever.

The Migdal JCC is partially funded by The Associated’s Baltimore-Odessa Partnership, an initiative that focuses on connecting Ukrainians to their Jewish heritage, while also providing support services for the Odessa Jewish community.

Faces of Odessa – Real-life Experiences from Friends in Our Partner City During the Crisis in Ukraine is a recently launched video seriesthat highlights the people of Odessa.