To our supporters who turn heartbreak into healing, your impact echoes through Romania,
Ukraine, and Israel.
Dear Friend,
This past year has tested our people in ways we never imagined. War. Trauma. Displacement. The children and families we care for have endured unimaginable pain — and they continue to live with deep uncertainty.
And yet, in the midst of darkness, a quiet resilience rises.
We see children beginning to laugh again. Teens daring to hope. Parents slowly rebuilding. These are the moments that give us strength — and they are only possible because of you.
But the truth is: we are still in crisis. And too often, we feel forgotten.
As headlines fade and global focus moves elsewhere, we remain on the frontlines, holding broken hearts, rebuilding shattered lives, and doing everything we can to give these children a sense of safety, belonging, and hope.
But we cannot do this alone.
Your support tells these children they are not abandoned. But they are seen and that their future matters.
As we start the new year, a time of reflection and renewal, we ask you to stand with us once more to help build a world where no Jewish child anywhere in the world is left behind. Together, we can move forward with courage, unity, and hope.
Wishing you and your loved ones a year of peace, health, and light.
Arielle Setton Executive Director TiKVA US
Yanna Begelman Director of Development TiKVA US
MISSION TIKVA’S ONGOING
TO PROTECT, SUPPORT, AND RESTORE JEWISH LIFE IN THE FACE OF CRISIS.
What began as a refuge for orphans in Odessa has become a lifeline across Ukraine, Romania, and Israel. We rescue vulnerable children, shelter refugees, and stand by our alumni—many now parents or soldiers—as they navigate the trauma of war. We continue to provide 700+ TiKVA children with the childhood and family they deserve.
In a time of growing instability, we remain committed to caring for the displaced, healing the broken, and inspiring hope for a Jewish future. The children in our care are the future!
4,100+ KOSHER MEALS SERVED DAILY ACROSS ODESSA AND ROMANIA
2,640 CHILDREN’S LIVES RESCUED SINCE INCEPTION
1,250+ ELDERLY UNDER TIKVA’S CARE AND PROTECTION
1,070 REFUGEES CARED FOR DAILY IN ROMANIA
696 CHILDREN RECEIVING A TIKVA EDUCATION
70 NEW ORPHANS SINCE THE WAR BEGAN
War-torn, but never forgotten
Updates from Ukraine COURAGE
VOICES OF
Since the war began in 2022, TiKVA has safely evacuated more than 5,000 children, alumni, staff, and elderly. Yet even amidst these efforts, we have never turned our backs on those who remained.
Hundreds of children are under our care, attending our schools, taking refuge in our bomb shelters, and relying on us for daily food and shelter. We have reopened our orphanage to welcome over 20 newly orphaned children who, for now, are unable to leave Ukraine.
Our buildings have become safe havens for the elderly, offering relief and a cool place to rest during the intense summer heat. Through our established distribution networks, we continue to deliver essential supplies to thousands of elderly individuals, including many Holocaust survivors, ensuring their most basic needs are met during these difficult times.
1,250 ELDERLY SERVED IN OUR CARE
1,200 HOT MEALS DAILY
Voices from Ukraine: Bearing Witness in Odessa
Caolan, a journalist on the ground in Odessa, shares what life has become in the city our children once called home.
He speaks directly into the camera, unable to show what’s happening in front of him due to national security restrictions.
But the terror is unmistakable. In the background, we hear bombs exploding, gunfire echoing, the chaos of war unfolding in real time. What shakes us most is not what we see. It’s what we hear - in his voice and in the city around him - disbelief, heartbreak, and a plea for the world to pay attention.
He describes streets once filled with children’s laughter, now shattered and silent. Schools abandoned. Families gone. Fear woven into the fabric of daily life. His words are steady, but the emotion behind them is raw. This is not history. This is now, and it demands a response.
“They’ve brought World War Two back to Europe.”
Voices from Ukraine Hope Found Amid the Chaos
From the small Ukrainian town of Aleksandria in the Kirovograd region come two brothers, David and Mark, born in 2011. Their childhood has been marked by hardship from the very start. Abandoned by their father, the children were left with a mother struggling under the weight of poverty and the care of a gravely ill grandmother.
Their older sister once lived in TiKVA’s orphanage, grew up under our care, and today thrives in Israel with a family of her own.
But for David and Mark, life took a harsher turn. With no means to provide even the most basic necessities, the family endured crushing poverty in a town under constant drone and rocket attacks. Each day brought new fear, each night the sound of sirens and explosions.
In this darkness, TiKVA stepped in. We could not allow David and Mark to remain in despair, without hope. Today, they are safe and cared for within our TiKVA community.
The Budskiy Family
The Budskiy family once lived in Bakhmut, just meters from the front line, and for a long time refused to evacuate. Both parents struggled with severe alcoholism, and during pregnancy with their first child, a rocket strike destroyed part of their home. By a miracle, the mother survived, but the attack left her deeply traumatized and her mental health rapidly declined.
In March 2023, desperate and overwhelmed, the father turned to TiKVA for help. We welcomed their first son into our Infants’ Home in Odessa, where he finally received the safety, love, and stability every child deserves.
In May 2025, the mother gave birth to a second baby boy, David. Aware she could not care for him, TiKVA took him in immediately. Just ten days later, tragedy struck again: the children’s father died from complications of chronic alcoholism, and the mother suffered another breakdown, leaving both boys orphaned.
Today, David and his brother are thriving in TiKVA’s care. Surrounded by devoted caregivers, they receive round-the-clock nurturing, stability, and the warmth of a true home. While their early years were marked by trauma and loss, every day at TiKVA helps them heal, build resilience, and grow with hope for a brighter future.
There are many more children with similar stories, we need your help to continue to rescue children like David Budskiy.
Voices from Ukraine TiKVA’S Orphange in Ukraine
Our orphanage in Odessa continues to operate and provide safety and stability for 18 orphans who cannot be taken beyond the Ukrainian borders. With a dedicated full-time staff, the children receive around-the-clock care and support, ensuring that their daily needs, education, and emotional well-being are fully met even under such challenging circumstances.
We will stay strong!
VOICES OF Am Yisrael Chai
Updates from Israel UNITY
Israel serves as both a refuge and a new beginning for many of TiKVA’s beneficiaries. Here, TiKVA supports alumni and their families in building meaningful lives while preserving their cultural identity.
After October 7th, TiKVA expanded its outreach to include alumni families displaced by conflicts in Israel’s North and South, providing immediate and long-term support tailored to their needs.
From assisting lone soldiers to helping uprooted families find stability, our programs in Israel exemplify resilience, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to transforming lives.
1,100+
ALUMNI FAMILIES GUIDED THROUGH RESETTLEMENT IN ISRAEL
259 TIKVA GRADUATES CURRENTLY SERVING IN THE IDF
200 ALUMNI SERVED WEEKLY IN OUR CENTER
109+ HAVE ARRIVED IN ISRAEL SINCE THE WAR BEGAN
Voices from Israel: Our nations heroes stand tall!
“TiKVA gave me more than a fresh start; it gave me hope for my children’s future. They helped us find a home, learn the language and believe in ourselves again.”
- A mother in Israel
ISRAEL STUDENT CENTER
Serving over 1,100 young olim, this vibrant center has been a cornerstone of TiKVA’s integration efforts since 2007. Through academic support, emotional guidance, and career training, it helps participants build a future in Israel. Hebrew classes and mentorship ease the transition, while job readiness programs open real opportunities. One standout, Oksana, now holds a top role in Israeli tech—just one example of the impact made every day.
EMPLOYMENT & CAREER SUPPORT
TiKVA’s employment programs help refugees move from crisis to stability with dignity and purpose. Combining language classes, job training, and mentorship, they open doors to real opportunities. Oleg, a father of three, now oversees housing projects in Israel after completing TiKVA’s training. With childcare support, especially for mothers, families can rebuild while contributing to their new communities.
SUPPORT FOR REFUGEES
Since October 7, 2023, TiKVA has supported 109 olim with programs designed to help them rebuild. From Hebrew classes to job training, we provide tools for stability and growth. We assist with housing, education, and employment, guiding families through every step. “TiKVA gave me hope for my children’s future,” said Tatiana, a single mother from Odessa. With dignity and care, we help each refugee turn survival into a new beginning.
SUPPORT FOR DISPLACED FAMILIES
As conflict escalated, TiKVA stepped in to support families displaced from both Northern and Southern Israel. We provided emergency housing, medical care, school enrollment, and essential supplies. To ease the emotional toll, we offered counseling and support groups— helping families begin to heal and rebuild with dignity.
Meet Artem
a lone IDF Soldier
When the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, Artem was living a quiet life in the Jewish community. But in an instant, everything changed. As bombs dropped and chaos engulfed his home, his feelings of fear and loss deepened, knowing that his future was uncertain. Forced to flee, Artem felt a deep sense of fear and dislocation.
TiKVA became his lifeline. When TiKVA’s children have reached at least 16 years of age and are considered academically prepared and emotionally stable, TiKVA assists them in considering the option to prepare for Aliyah to Israel. This life-altering decision was not easy; leaving behind a home, friends, and family was heartbreaking. But for Artem, the promise of safety and a fresh start in the Jewish homeland was a beacon of hope.
Through support and guidance during the darkest days of the conflict, TiKVA played a pivotal role in helping Artem and others from his community escape the war zone and make Aliyah to Israel. Once in Israel, Artem was given access to the TiKVA Israel Alumni Center in Jerusalem, a communal hub where former TiKVA residents connect with a wide range of social and cultural activities. They
participate in Jewish enrichment courses and also receive career guidance and a promising future.
Working with TiKVA’s professional team of social workers, counselors, and psychologists in Israel,
TiKVA helps coordinate its graduates’ adjustment to their new surroundings and integration into Israeli life.
Upon arriving in Israel, Artem made a powerful decision: to enlist in the IDF as a lone soldier. With no immediate family in the country, he chose to stand up and serve, driven by a sense of duty to protect the very people who had welcomed him with open arms.
Today, as a lone soldier, Artem faces the daily challenges of military life with courage and determination. His story is one of resilience — a young person, displaced by war, who found purpose and strength in Israel.
ARTEMAT
TIKVA SCHOOL,AGE12
TiKVA’s unwavering support helped him find his way from the devastation of Ukraine to the promise of a new future, defending the Jewish homeland.
Updates from Romania
Providing refuge, restoring dignity.
VOICES OF
RESILIENCE
In Romania, TiKVA has created a safe haven for refugees to rebuild their lives. Over 50% of our alumni have found new jobs allowing them to provide for their families once again. This has reduced TiKVA’s food costs and boosted morale as families share home-cooked meals again. Still, TiKVA provides 1,500 hot meals each day to orphans and the wider community.
For 230 orphaned children, we’ve established a proper home where each child has a bed, daily structure, school on campus, and time to simply play. A team of 12 psychologists supports children and families daily, helping them heal as returning home grows less likely. What began as an emergency response has grown into a thriving, close-knit community where stability, hope, and a renewed sense of family have taken root.
1,070 REFUGEES IN OUR CARE, IN ROMANIA
380 CHILDREN ATTENDING SCHOOL DAILY
Psychological Intervention:
Olena, a 10-year-old child in our care, arrived carrying deep emotional scars and severe behavioral challenges. She lashed out at peers, shouted at teachers, and resisted every form of authority. At home, her world was marked by instability: a stepfather who was physically and verbally abusive, and a mother trapped in a harmful relationship, unable to protect her. Often denied even basic needs for hours at a time, Olena had learned to meet fear with defiance.
Today, Olena is safe in our care in Romania, where she is surrounded by stability, compassion, and the tools to begin healing. In this nurturing environment, she is slowly learning to trust, to regulate her emotions, and to embrace the possibility of a brighter future.
TiKVA’s child psychologists developed a personalized, three-step intervention:
Establishing Trust
Given Olena’s distrust of adults, the first step was to create a safe, stable environment and slowly build contact.
Emotional Regulation
Olena was taught how to recognize and manage her emotions, gradually replacing physical aggression with words.
THE DIFFERENCE WE MADE
Behavioral Reinforcement
Positive behavior was consistently encouraged through reward systems and collaborative support in school.
Two years into her journey, Olena is showing strong signs of progress. She participates in class, shows interest in creative activities, and expresses a desire to improve her behavior. Though ongoing support is still needed, her transformation reflects the power of early, targeted psychological care and the safe, loving framework TiKVA provides.
Voices from Romania: Duchess of York Visits TiKVA
It was a day filled with emotion as Sarah, Duchess of York, visited TiKVA’s Children’s Home and refugee shelter in Bucharest this past spring.
Her two-day visit was a powerful demonstration of solidarity with our children and families who have lost everything. The Duchess spent time with young mothers and orphaned children who had fled the war, listening to their stories and offering comfort and hope. In the evening, she brought warmth and calm by reading bedtime stories—including The Princess and the Pea and her own A Gift of Kindness—to children who have endured unimaginable hardship.
A particularly moving moment came when she reunited with Vika, a young mother she first met in Odessa in 2013. Now a refugee, Vika introduced her newborn baby—a symbol of life and resilience. The Duchess also reconnected with other young women she had once known as girls, many still healing but surrounded by care and dignity.Praising TiKVA’s devoted team, the Duchess emphasized that they provide far more than shelter— they offer love, safety, and the chance to dream again.
Her visit was a lifeline of human connection, reminding every child that they are not forgotten.
We are excited to host our special guest, the Duchess of York at our Annual Gala. *See page 19 for gala details.
Voices from Romania: Held, Heard, and Home
Mira was born in a hospital on the outskirts of Odessa, she was left behind hours after birth—no name, no family, no plan for what would come next. Nurses cared for her gently, but Mira’s future was uncertain. Without intervention, she would have entered an overwhelmed state system with little hope for stability or belonging.
Through TiKVA’s Search and Rescue program, Mira’s story changed. She was quickly brought into TiKVA’s care—given a name, a crib, a bottle, and arms that held her close. She is now safe in our Infant Home, surrounded by warmth, routine, and attentive caregivers who ensure she is fed, nurtured, and loved.
Mira may never know how close she came to being lost. But today, she sleeps peacefully, grows steadily, and begins life not as a forgotten child—but as someone treasured, protected, and full of promise.
Innovation in Romania
We are thrilled to share the launch of our brand-new Computer Lab in Romania, opened in March 2025 and made possible through our partnership with the Orphaned Starfish Foundation (OSF).
Thanks to the vision of OSF’s founder, Andy Stein, our children now have access to the tools and training they need to build vital technological skills, preparing them for creative and professional opportunities in the digital age. For our students—many of whom have endured displacement, loss, and instability—this lab represents far more than computers; it is a gateway to empowerment, confidence, and hope for the future.
We are deeply grateful to OSF who made this collaboration possible. Together, we are ensuring that every child in our care has the chance to learn, grow, and succeed—no matter the challenges of their past. This is only the beginning of what we know will be an incredible journey of innovation and opportunity for our children.
Recent events in 2025:
WELLNESS EVENT, NY
In Scarsdale, celebrity trainer Isaac Boots led his signature high-energy workout, Torch’d at The Bunny Hive, raising funds through fitness and a boutique shopping experience.
GOLF OUTING, NJ
Supporters teed off at our 31st Annual Invitational Golf Outing on June 16th at Crestmont Country Club, generously sponsored by Keith Frankel. With 150 golfers across two courses, the day was a meaningful blend of camaraderie, competition, and commitment to our mission.
CHALLAH BAKE, ANGUILLA
Our board member, Pamela Pekerman, hosted a challah bake to raise awareness and funds for our TiKVA children.
Thank you for hosting these successful events. We are so appreciative of your support!
*Check out page 20 to learn about ways you can help
Upcoming Events: TiKVA Gala and Mission
A PRIVATE MISSION TO BUCHAREST
Join an intimate mission to TiKVA’s refugee community of orphans and alumni families in Bucharest. Meet the children, hear their stories firsthand, and see the impact of your support. This deeply personal experience offers a rare window into their strength, healing, and continued journey forward. Inquire for dates and details.
HELP: HOW YOU CAN
TAKE ON A CHALLENGE
Join a sponsored walk, run, cycle, or create your own fundraising challenge to raise vital funds for TiKVA.
GET YOUR GROUP INVOLVED
Partner with your school, youth group, synagogue, or workplace to run a group fundraiser or awareness campaign
START SOMETHING NEW
Have a creative idea? We’ll help you bring it to life—with resources, guidance, and support from the TiKVA team.
HOST AN EVENT
Organize a charity dinner, bake sale, quiz night, or community gathering in support of our mission.
JOIN A TIKVA PROJECT
Be part of one of our annual initiatives or special projects that directly support children and families in need.
EVERY STEP. TOGETHER.
To get involved or discuss ideas, please reach out! Email us at yannab@tikvaodessa.org
$100,000
Feeds our refugee community of 1,066 people for one week
$18,000
Sponsors ALL orphans and refugees for one seder in Bucharest, Romania
$3,600
Sponsors 2 TiKVA teacher’s salaries for one month
$360
Covers school lunches for a week for 18 orphans in Romania
$50,000
Feeds 100 orphans for one month in Bucharest, Romania
$10,000
Sponsors finding & documenting a new orphan into TiKVA’s care & covering all needs for one year
$1,000
Feeds ten orphans in Romania for one week
$180
Provides wardrobe for two children in our care
$25,000
Sponsors the monthly rental cost of the girls or boys school in Romania ($25k month each)
$5,000
Provides rent, food, and basic care to a family being evacuated to our site in Romania for two months Scan to DONATE TODAY!
$500
Provides meals for 45 students to take home to their families in Odessa
*To sponsor a specific need or program, please contact info@tikvaodessa.org
