A Lifeline to Jews Around the World

Liudmila Starikovich lives just 10 minutes from the nearest supermarket, but she's entirely dependent on JDC for food, medicine and more.

Disabled all her life and severely overweight due to a hormone condition, Liudmila hasn't been outside in nine years.

"JDC is the sunshine in my window," she says. "They are my eyes, my legs and my ears."

Liudmila is one of nearly 90,000 elderly Jews JDC cares for across the former Soviet Union (FSU). Most live alone, and many live on pensions as low as $2/day.

After paying her bills, Liudmila—a retired librarian and the daughter of two World War II veterans—is left with just $40 each month. Without JDC, she's not sure she would survive.

"We must help those in need, and there are many," she says. "Without JDC's support … well, I don't even want to imagine that."

Across 11 time zones and 11 countries in the FSU, JDC provides more than 18 million hours of home health care each year and operates 69 social welfare centers—the largest Jewish humanitarian relief effort since World War II.

But Liudmila doesn't think about that.

For her, JDC is personal: It's a hot meal, a comforting conversation, a dignified life.

"JDC has helped me since 1998, and they've given me only utter kindness. They know a person's needs," she says. "It's not only the aid they provide—they just get it."

You can ensure that JDC will be a lifeline to future generations. Contact David Golaner at 212.885.0825 or davidgo@jdc.org.