Belarus

Overview

Belarus was once a major center for European Jews. It was the home of important Hasidic movements as well as a center for yeshivot and early Zionist leaders. Belarus, however, suffered greatly during the Holocaust and World War II – 209 of its 290 cities were completely destroyed, as was 85% of its industry. It is estimated that almost a third of Belarus’ population perished, including 90% of its Jewish population, or more than 600,000 Jews.

The Jewish community of Belarus was forced to try and rebuild during the imposed atheism of the Soviet era. Belarus became independent in 1991, but still closely follows a state-run economic policy. The Chernobyl nuclear disaster in Ukraine significantly impacted Belarus in terms of both health and economic problems. The result is a lasting legacy of poverty amid a crumbling infrastructure.

Need

An inflation rate that has threatened to eclipse Belarus’ growth in GDP since the fall of the Soviet Union has left elderly Jews struggling to survive on inadequate pensions. This community is particularly at risk during the bitter cold winter months when heating costs and food prices are often beyond local means.

The almost complete annihilation of the Jewish population during the Holocaust and 70 years of religious intolerance under the Soviet regime have created a critical need to rebuild the Jewish community to ensure a safe and vibrant Jewish future for Belarus Jews.

Response

There has been a dramatic renewal of Jewish life in Belarus in the last two decades. Through 17 Hesed welfare centers, JDC supports the efforts of the Belarus Jewish community to provide much needed basic care to impoverished and elderly Jews. Additionally, JDC works to ensure a Jewish future through education and the development of a dynamic cultural life. JDC assistance includes:

• Urgent medical and other one-time special needs, including pressing home repairs and winter relief
• Organization of summer camps for children with disabilities
• Collaboration with Belarus State University in the development of a professional course for social workers focused on the elderly

Impact

JDC is committed to supporting the community’s Jewish renewal efforts and utilizes the Minsk Jewish Campus as the center of this renaissance. The Minsk Jewish Campus houses many services and organizations, including a Hesed welfare center, Jewish Community Center (JCC), Hillel, and the Jewish Family Outreach Service.

Through the Minsk Jewish Campus and 16 other Hesed welfare centers, JDC provides Belarus Jews with:

• More than 20,000 fresh food sets distributed to almost 1,700 elderly clients per year
• Approximately 80 aging clients receive food cards to purchase food in their local supermarkets
• More than 190,000 home care hours are furnished to about 900 clients annually
• Some 3,750 children received basic material assistance

The Minsk Jewish Campus also provides Jewish cultural support. Children and adults enjoy cultural events, communal holiday celebrations, workshops, and classes. Hillel students serve as mentors and participate in a tutoring program, assisting at-risk children with their studies. The model has been so successful it has been replicated in Bobruisk and is planned for two additional cities.

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