The Place for Jersey City News
Log In / Register
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
Jersey City Times
  • News
  • Food and Fun
    • Food And Drink
    • Performing Arts
    • Visual Arts
    • Other Fun Stuff
  • Education
  • Business
  • Neighborhoods
    • Downtown
      • News
      • Guide
    • Heights
      • News
      • Guide
    • Journal Square
      • News
      • Guide
    • Bergen Lafayette
      • News
      • Guide
    • Greenville
      • News
      • Guide
    • Westside
      • News
      • Guide
  • Opinion
  • Columns
    • Eye Level
    • Mamarama
  • Obituaries
  • Event Calendar
  • Support our Mission
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
Op Ed: Thursday Fundraiser to Marshal Jersey City Support for Ukraine

Op Ed: Thursday Fundraiser to Marshal Jersey City Support for Ukraine

Letter to the Editor
March 23, 2022/in Downtown, header, Latest News, Narrate, News, Opinion, Uncategorized
by Letter to the Editor

By Joshua Sotomayor-Einstein

Since Russian dictator Vladimir Putin launched his most recent invasion of Ukraine in late February 2022 (his first being in 2014), Jersey City Ukrainians and other residents have mobilized a massive fundraising effort supporting Ukraine’s battle for freedom and to help refugees. Ukrainian Americans in Jersey City — from residents to elected officials — come from all socioeconomic strata and practice a wide range of religions including Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. I had a discussion with two resident Ukrainian American leaders, Natalia Ioffee (Board of Education vice president) and Mariya Soroka (Razom Ukraine co-founder and board member), in late February.

Since that interview, both Putin’s war and the Ukraine aid efforts have ratcheted up exponentially. Here in Jersey City, a rally was held March 1 at the Katyn Memorial, the Downtown bar Pint a held a fundraiser  for the Ukrainian military, the Waterfront Montessori Middle School collected humanitarian supplies, and the Ukrainian National Home (a community center located in the Heights) sponsored a fundraiser and gathered aid supplies. There is a deep well of support for Ukraine in New Jersey’s cultural capital. On March 11 the County Board of Commissioners  passed a unanimous resolution  supporting Ukraine.

With most Americans supporting Ukraine, a majority of New Jersey’s residents supporting aid to Ukraine, and the significant Ukrainian community, it’s no wonder Jersey City has been an epicenter of support for the Ukrainian freedom movement. But many questions remain.

Jersey City resident Boris Ioffee, a Ukrainian American of Jewish descent asked: “Where is Jersey City and the other towns in our county when it comes to freedom? Hoboken, a town with many fewer Ukrainians, passed a resolution advocating state and federal officials push for more aid to Ukraine as she fights for freedom. Why is our city council quiet? Where is their support for people living in cities and homes being shelled and rocketed for almost a month? We need everyone to speak up now, or their silence will be both deafening and defining.”

Oksana Condon, a Jersey City resident since 2013 and president of Ukrainian Jersey City, a cultural association, brought up the Ukrainian refugees coming to U.S. shores, stating, “There is no clear path to legal status. Ukrainian refugees do not want to be a drain on America and want to get to work, support their families, and send money back to support a free Ukraine so they can return as soon as Putin is defeated. We will never stop advocating for freedom. For every hospital, school, and home Putin bombs, we will increase our efforts to aide Ukraine that much more.”

Condon invites everyone to the “#Stand With Ukraine Charity Concert” on March 24 at 6 p.m. organized by the Jersey City Theater Center and Ukrainian Jersey City and featuring Ukrainian and Jersey City artists and poets.

 

Tags: Jersey City Community Groups
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn
You might also like
North River Sing Community Chorus North River Sing Community Chorus to Hold Auditions, Resume Programming
Jersey City Mercy for the Homeless Volunteer or Get Help Over the Holidays at these Non-Profits
Journal Square Jersey City Journal Square Community Association Votes for Strict Affordable Housing Plan
Volunteers from Masbia Jewish Non-Profit Provides Halal Meat to Afghan Refugees and Others
Haven Respite Jersey City Haven Fundraiser to Feature Discussion on Resiliency in Face of Hardship, Rape
Erich B. Sekel of St. Peter's University in Jersey City St. Peter’s Man Garners National Award Repairing Homes for Free
Lasagna Jersey City Volunteers Bake Lasagna for Neighbors in Need
Sam Pesin Over Lunch, Pesin Exhorts Supporters to Fight for Liberty State Park Protection Act

Latest Articles

Jersey City Patrol Car
May 14, 2022 /

Op Ed: Jersey City Cops Struggle with Low Pay and a High Cost of Living

lauren-and-alexa-hoyer-anonymous-architectures_mana-contemporary-exhibition-lauren-silberman-dancefloor
May 13, 2022 /

“Land of the Free” sizzles at MANA Contemporary

U.S. Attorney sign
May 12, 2022 /

Repeat Offender Arrested for Possession of Child Pornography

Crime Scene Tape
May 12, 2022 /

Man Pleads Guilty in Heights Stabbing Death

Anthony Tamburro
May 12, 2022 /

This Weekend

CONTACT US

    ADS/INFO

    For information on advertising opportunities, please contact - ads@jcitytimes.com

    For information on writing opportunities, please contact - info@jcitytimes.com

    Download our media kit here

    ABOUT US

    About Jersey City Times

    Contact Jersey City Times

    Social

    Archives

    • May 2022
    • April 2022
    • March 2022
    • February 2022
    • January 2022
    • December 2021
    • November 2021
    • October 2021
    • September 2021
    • August 2021
    • July 2021
    • June 2021
    Copyright © 2020 JCityTimes.com. All Rights Reserved - powered by Enfold WordPress Theme
    West Orange Man Arrested in November Bergen-Lafayette Homicide Jersey City Police Car Jersey City City Hall City Council Mulling Over 100 Million in Construction Projects
    Scroll to top