This summer in Ukraine, children ran through workshops, solved puzzles about Jewish traditions, and unlocked a symbolic “Key of Unity,” all as part of Family Camp, a long-standing program supported by Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ.
For Olga Krichker, the camp was a reminder of how far her family had come. She couldn’t attend herself because of work, but her husband and young son spent ten days immersed in Jewish community, celebrating Shabbat, learning about Israel, and simply enjoying time with friends. After camp, Olga sent a message to Lori Klinghoffer, past president of Federation:
“I want to express my deepest gratitude and sincere wishes to the MetroWest donors for sponsoring Cherkassy family camp…My son is absolutely happy about having his holiday with his friends from our community in such an awesome place! I want to thank you and all the people who care about us because we would never be able to afford such a wonderful retreat.”
For Lori, reading those words brought back memories she can’t forget. Decades earlier, Olga had served as a translator on Federation missions to Cherkassy, bridging connections between Greater MetroWest lay leaders and volunteers and the local community in Cherkassy. And on February 24, 2022, Lori received a video call under very different circumstances. War had broken out in Ukraine.
“I could see the panic and terror in her eyes,” Lori recalls. “Her husband couldn’t leave, her mother was too ill to travel, and her young son depended on her. She didn’t know what to do.”
Lori stayed on the line, helping steady Olga’s breathing and calm her fears. “I gave her the hotline number the Jewish Agency had set up and then reached out to Yehuda Setton, who was COO at the time and is now CEO of the Agency,” Lori explains. “Later, that’s how I learned that she had gotten out on a Chabad bus. I continued texting with her during her journey.”
Lori checked in constantly, receiving updates as Olga crossed borders, first into Moldova and then into Romania. She tracked her journey the whole way until the moment they were safe.
Now, three years later, Olga is home. Her son is thriving, and for the first time in years, he could experience a carefree summer surrounded by friends and Jewish community.
“It’s all about people-to-people connections,” Lori reflects. “Programs matter, but relationships are what carry us through. Olga’s story is proof: when we show up for each other, Jewish life endures, even through the hardest times.”