Faces of Freedom: Uniting for Ukraine

Published: August 31, 2023

This year to honor the Ukrainian Independence Day on August 24th, Razom has launched a celebration of the incredible freedom fighters within our community. From dedicated delivery drivers in Ukraine to passionate volunteers in New York, behind every face is an inspiring story about freedom which we are excited to share and encourage you to create your own.

Meet the Razom Ukraine Response Initiative team! They assist externally displaced Ukrainians in the New York area with everything they need to gain a sense of normalcy after being forced to flee Ukraine because of russia’s full scale invasion. They provide vital support, including legal consultations, clothing and food distributions, and medical services, such as flu vaccines. And they do all that with a big smile! It takes a lot of care to help the displaced Ukrainians – many of them fled their homes in places like Mariupol and Kharkiv with just a backpack and came to New York, where they know no one and are often faced with challenges such as health problems and difficulty finding a job to provide for their families. But the Ukraine Response Initiative doesn’t only provide material help. They also provide a much-needed sense of community. Many of the recipients of the Initiative’s aid also become volunteers to help other Ukrainians. Because together – we are Ukraine.

We’re honored to feature Texas Congressman and Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. Michael McCaul, among our Faces Of Freedom. He emphasizes the importance of supporting Ukraine: “Supporting Ukraine and standing up to unprovoked aggression that violates sovereignty and territorial integrity is in the U.S. and free world’s interest, especially with China closely watching the world’s response to Russia’s full-scale invasion. Razom is critical in keeping up this support by educating the American people on why a victory for Ukraine is imperative.”

We thank Mr. McCaul for the kind words and for all his support of Ukraine! We thank ALL of Congress for its unwavering and crucial support of Ukraine not only over the last year and a half, but the last 32+ years. It’s amazing to walk down the halls of Congress, as the Razom Advocacy team often does, and see so many signs of support for Ukraine – from Ukrainian flags to “We stand with Ukraine” posters.

The day before Ukrainian Independence Day, Razom’s team presented the results of the Razom Heroes program at a press conference in Kyiv. We were thrilled to share that $45 million worth of aid was provided to Ukraine’s defenders through this project. Razom has delivered over 15,000 radios right into the hands of the defenders and helped evacuate over 1,300 injured soldiers from the frontlines on medical vehicles. Razom has also delivered hundreds of tons of tactical medicine, medical equipment and medicine, thousands of drones, walkie-talkies, radios, generators, portable charging stations and other supplies to Ukrainian defenders, emergency services, hospitals and clinics. To celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day and thank the brave defenders of Ukraine, the Razom Heroes team hosted an impactful meeting with many of the recipients of Razom’s aid from the frontlines. We were so happy to have so many of our partners and friends in one room!

In honor of Ukrainian Independence Day, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskiy held an award ceremony to recognize the “National Legends of Ukraine”. One such is Dr. Andriy Sirko, the head of the neurosurgery department at Mechnikov Hospital in Dnipro. Aside from being a talented and skilled neurosurgeon, Razom is proud to call Dr. Sirko a partner in our Co-Pilot Project. Just recently, three American neurosurgeons travelled to Ukraine to support Dr. Sirko’s department through the Co-Pilot project. Additionally, Razom shipped 21 pallets of donated neurosurgery supplies to the frontline hospital. We are grateful to Dr. Sirko for his incredible work! We thank all the doctors, surgeons, nurses, medical workers and professionals working to bring Ukrainian victory closer every day!

Faces Of Freedom would not be full without one of our largest programs – Razom Relief and all its amazing partners. In 2022, Razom Relief team provided $5MM in grants to a network of 123 volunteer organizations in Ukraine that help local communities. The impact of this work is vast. Among other aid, these organizations distributed 221,458 food packages to people in need, evacuated 9,640 people, renovated 91 buildings including 11 shelters, and supported 18 shelters that provided 2,375 sleeping places. Surely, the people behind these organizations, some of which are pictured in here, are real Faces of Freedom. We asked a few of them what freedom meant to them. Read their responses and get inspired to continue working together for Ukraine.

Finally, we are excited to share a very special video with you – the video that marked the finale of our Faces Of Freedom campaign. As the Ukrainian community gathered for an Independence Walk (organized by Svitanok) starting at Washington Square Park (NYC) on the Ukrainian Independence Day, we set up a photo booth where we asked the participants what “freedom” meant to them. Their words are felt deep and touch our hearts.

Watch the video here

We thank the filmmaker Polina Buchak and photographer Irynka Hromotska for making this project come to life. You’re an incredible creative duo and we’re so happy to have you as part of our community.

We thank all of you, who are not mentioned here, but feel for Ukraine, support Ukraine, and do a lot to contribute to Ukraine’s freedom. YOU are, too, the faces of freedom. Thank you!

Donate to Support Ukraine

2022 Impact in Review & What’s Most Critical Now

Published: May 11, 2023

It is said, “If Russia stops fighting, the war ends. If Ukraine stops fighting, Ukraine ends.” We will not let that happen. Thank you for supporting us in so many ways towards ensuring Ukraine continues to get all the help it needs.

Dear Razom Supporter,

To be confronted over and over again with how the war has ravaged Ukraine and the people who have done what others only speak of to protect and uphold their democracy and freedom, can be devastating. But thanks to your stunning compassion and generosity, Razom has been able to reach more people than we ever imagined and solidify our network to proudly support Ukraine now and in the years ahead.

In 2022, more than 175,000 donors made it possible for us to deploy over $62 million towards our mission to save lives in Ukraine and meet the dynamic and critical needs of Ukrainians as they continue to resist russian forces.

The passionate outpouring of support from people like you created a tremendous opportunity for our programs. In order to achieve the greatest impact, we have now focused our efforts on the following five critical areas of support:

In each of these five categories, together with Razom staff, volunteers and our partners, we’ve been able to have tremendous impact on the lives of Ukrainians from all walks of life.

When the world needs to hear the truth about russia’s actions and aggression, Razom Advocacy is there. In 2022 our team organized more than 525 meetings with congressional offices to ask for critical support for Ukraine, co-founded the American Coalition for Ukraine (ACU) uniting 57 diverse organizations and constituents from all 50 states, and held an inaugural Ukraine Action Summit in Washington, D.C. a fly-in event with over 250 constituents from all over the country participating.

In the first quarter of 2023, Razom Advocacy co-organized a second Ukraine Action Summit that expanded to over 300 advocates from 34 states, and brought together 62 organizations representing the ACU. It was three days in Washington D.C. full of congressional meetings, advocacy training, panel discussions, and networking, and it was focused on a singular message – Ukraine must win. All told, the advocates met with one-third of the offices in Congress. You can read more about it on our website.

Beyond the Summit, our team has testified before Congress, led hundreds of government briefings and meetings, drafted dozens of policy briefs, proposed legislation, and amplified countless Ukrainian voices to protect bipartisan support for Ukraine and advance pro-Ukraine policy that is aligned to U.S. national interests. Don’t forget to join our advocates network to get the latest news from Razom Advocacy.

When a defender in a remote field needs a tourniquet, Razom Heroes is there. In 2022, the team deployed in-house order tracking software and a Ukraine-wide delivery system where Razom drivers take aid directly to the hot zones, delivered over 500 tons of life-saving supplies (including purchasing nearly 400,000 tourniquets), and packed and delivered almost 90,000 Individual First Aid Kits and over 2,000 tactical medical backpacks. We’ve also delivered over 2,000 quadcopters for safe passage and evacuation, and sourced and serviced 69 cars for frontline medics to use as first line evacuation. We have also supplied over 14,000 radios and over 2,000 tablets to keep Ukrainians connected on the front lines. In 2023, as the war continues, so does the procurement and delivery of this type of life saving aid.

Between March 17-May 7 of 2023, Razom Health successfully co-organized and coordinated four medical mission trips to Ukraine. You can read about each specific group of doctors and nurses that traveled here, and click above to watch a deep dive into what it takes to bring a trip like this to life and its impact.
This specific team of American-Canadian volunteers, 8 doctors, and 4 nurses arrived in Ivano-Frankivsk in March to perform 35 complex surgeries for the Ukrainian military and civilians all while providing training for Ukrainian doctors to ensure the impact of their work gets multiplied long after they leave. Given the demanding hours and complexity of the surgeries, Razom’s team organized the many logistical elements essential to the smooth running of these missions, including covering travel, accommodations, daily logistics, and purchasing necessary equipment.
There’s some great reporting that’s been done covering these trips including interviews from the doctors who traveled to Ukraine and the Ukrainian lives that have been changed by their work.

When war-torn hospitals need ultrasounds and wound vacs, Razom Health is there. In 2022, we supplied 419 medical facilities in Ukraine with aid like ultrasounds, wound vacs, electrosurgery machines, orthopedic fixators and more, delivered 23 hospital-grade generators so doctors could continue delivering critical care even when the lights were out, and launched 2 mental health centers in Ukraine with over 800 individuals served (65% using mental health services for the first time).

When families are displaced, hungry, sick, or in danger, Razom Relief is there. In 2022, the team awarded $5M in grants to a network of 123 volunteer organizations in Ukraine that help their local communities. Collectively, these organizations distributed 221,458 food packages to people in need, evacuated 9,640 people, renovated 91 buildings including 11 shelters, and supported 18 shelters that provided 2,375 sleeping places. Over the winter the team procured and delivered 90 generators and 50 charging stations to resilience points, shelters, and humanitarian hubs across Ukraine.

When the world needs to hear voices from Ukraine, Razom Culture and Connections is there. In 2022, our team organized the concert to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Shchedryk’s (Carol of the Bells) premiere at Carnegie Hall with Ukrainian and Ukrainian-American artists and celebrity guests, funded filmmakers from Ukraine to attend international film festivals (including Sundance and the Academy Awards) so people could hear directly from creators and make connections, and supported multiple cultural exchanges, book clubs, and concerts.

We couldn’t have done all this without your support and generosity! With your donations we can scale and continue to support Ukraine now and in the years ahead.

Donate to Keep Supporting this Work

In the meantime, we hope to run into you at any number of these incredible events in New York and across the country that are really worth your time!

This weekend come see “Undesirable Elements: Ukraine” a collaboration of Ping Chong and Company and Yara Arts Group at the Ukrainian Museum on E 6th St in NYC. The production explores the experiences of Ukrainian-American New Yorkers and recent arrivals from Ukraine.
In director Ping Chong’s “Undesirable Elements” series, real people tell about their own lives. Since 1992, over 65 “Undesirable Elements” productions have been made in communities across the country and around the world.
You can get your tickets here & at the door.

Razom is honored to host an event at the Ukrainian Institute of America in NYC this weekend that’ll feature Ukrainian voices at this year’s Pen World Voices Festival. This evening will be mostly in Ukrainian and registration is required.

Come catch a performance from Trevor Noah: Off the Record Tour and fundraise for Ukraine! Led by a diverse group of Benefit Committee Members, it’s sure to be a really special evening.

Grab your tickets by May 15th here.

Just look out for the yellow couch and you’ll find us!

This year at Razom Lounge at the festival, we’ll be hosting special guests, showcasing the work we’ve done over the last year, raising money for bigger projects to help Ukraine, and revealing some fun surprises throughout the day.

The Razom Ukrainian Response Initiative will also be part of the Razom Lounge, giving recently arrived displaced Ukrainians an opportunity to discover the Ukrainian Festival for themselves, meet the community here to support them, and share their stories.

P.S. Interested in volunteering at the Razom Lounge? Send us a message.

Razom is a Presenting Partner with the Human Rights Watch Film Festival, which will feature a Ukrainian documentary WHEN SPRING CAME TO BUCHA. It poignantly captures how a small community continues with life amid trauma and loss while war rages on close by.

Join audiences for its US premiere at the #HRWFFNY taking place on 6/6 at Film at Lincoln Center and the second screening on 6/7 at the IFC Center. A live Q&A with filmmakers and special guests will follow the screenings.

You can also stream the film across the US as part of the digital festival between June 5-11.

Find out more information and book tickets here.

Ukrainian singer/songwriter and winner of the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest, Jamala is going on her first major USA and Canada tour!

The show includes music from different periods that will be performed through a special electronic interpretation. The tour name, “Like A Bird,” is a reference to the track of the same name from the “All Or Nothing” (2013) album.

Get your tickets here and join Razom at the New York City show on June 2 at Racket NYC. She’ll be in Philadelphia, Chicago, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and Orlando too!

Donate to Razom

Contemporary Ukrainian Cinema

Published: March 17, 2023

Ukrainian cinema has undergone a significant transformation over the past decade, with a new generation of filmmakers producing bold and innovative works that have gained international recognition. From gritty social dramas to surreal, genre-bending art films, Ukrainian cinema is attracting attention from audiences and critics around the world. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the state of contemporary Ukrainian cinema within the Razom For Ukraine network, exploring some of the most exciting films, directors, and trends emerging from this vibrant and dynamic film scene.

The Cleveland International Film Festival is starting on March 22nd and will highlight some films that are supported by Razom for Ukraine, so we encourage you to tune in virtually if you cannot attend the Ohio festival in person.

Whether you’re a fan of independent cinema or simply curious about the latest developments in international film, Ukrainian cinema is definitely worth exploring.

A RISING FURY

Synopsis: Filmed over eight years, A Rising Fury tracks the evolution of the conflict in Ukraine, from the 2013 Maidan Revolution in Kyiv, Ukraine to today. The documentary intimately accompanies Pavlo, a young idealist who enlists in the Ukrainian army to defend his country following Russia’s invasion of the Donbas and Crimea regions in 2014. In this vicious struggle between two culturally intertwined nations where friends can suddenly become foes, Pavlo finds himself on the opposite side of the battlefield from many he once considered allies as he fervently acts to defend his country’s independence, sovereignty, and democracy.

Why you must watch it:

the perspective of a civilian who became a soldier is conveyed through a first-hand narrative;
from Maidan to the full-scale invasion — a span of 8 years was dedicated to filming;
one of the director films the impact Razom makes in Ukraine;
Razom connection: grantee.

When and where to watch: The film had its World Premiere at Tribeca 2022. Follow the instagram page @a_rising_fury_film for upcoming screenings.

FREEDOM ON FIRE: UKRAINE’S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM

Synopsis: The film depicts the horrible realities of this unprovoked war instigated by Putin. It’s an exploration of the courage of the Ukrainian people, fiercely determined to stand their ground until ‘the last drop of blood’. Demonstrating an astounding ability to unite as a people and defend the sovereignty of their country, Ukrainians show compassion and resilience even when surrounded by death, destruction, and unfathomable war crimes. The film transports viewers through a war that started immediately after Maidan (Revolution of Dignity) in 2014 and continues through the 2022 Russian invasion. Through personal stories of civilians, children, soldiers, doctors, the country’s elderly, journalists, religious leaders, and international volunteers, this is a humanizing diary of millions of people whose lives were turned upside down by eight years of conflict.

Why you must watch it:

great companion to the Oscar nominated Winter of Fire documentary;
gives an overall timeline of the full-scale invasion events leading up to July 2022;
follows few storylines of Ukrainians in different regions;
Razom connection: amplifying the message of the film

When and where to watch: The film had its World Premiere at Venice 2023. Follow the instagram page @evgeny_director for screening updates.

SUNFLOWER FIELD (Short Film)

Synopsis: Under the shadowy threat of war, a young girl awaits a call from her father. As the day turns into night, she sinks into a dream from which she must find her way home.

Why you must watch it:

this film explores the impact war and conflict has on young children and shows that children have both the agency and ability to connect with the complexities of life. This is also a film about finding hope in the midst of loss and fear;
Razom connection: the director of the short, Polina Buchak, is an active Razom volunteer who curates film programming as well as creates multimedia content for Razom

When and where to watch: The film will have its World Premiere at Cleveland International Film Festival and Seattle premiere at NFFTY. You can tune in virtually during the duration of those festivals. Follow the instagram page @ms_buchak for screening updates.

KLONDIKE

Synopsis: The story of a Ukrainian family living on the border of Ukraine – Russia during the start of the war. Irka refuses to leave her house even as the village gets captured by armed forces. Shortly after they find themselves at the center of an international air crash catastrophe on July 17, 2014.

Why you must watch it:

offers a unique woman’s perspective on the war;
sheds light on how Russia shapes the narrative;
highlights the pivotal role played by the plane crash in igniting the war;
Ukraine has submitted this movie as its official entry for the Oscars 2023;
Razom connection: grantee.

When and where to watch: Klondike has a US distributor, and it is scheduled for the theatrical release in Summer 2023 in the US. Follow instagram page @klondike.movie for future screenings and updates.

IRON BUTTERFLIES

Synopsis: Step by step, Roman Liyubyi’s collage of archive material of MH17 crash, news and social media clips as well as dramatized and animated elements lays bare the strategies behind this hybrid warfare, and exposes the mechanisms that were used to create a dense smokescreen around the true political and military situation. A painful lesson in revelation that also helps us to better understand the present.

Why you must watch it:

an experimental documentary that shows how vulnerable truth is and how it’s portrayed in media;
Razom connection: grantee.

When and where to watch: The film had its debut at Sundance 2023 and was later premiered in Europe at Berlinale 2023. The film is currently going through festivals.

This is definitely not an exhaustive list of incredible filmmakers, so we encourage you to search for more on a Ukrainian streaming platform called Takflix that features Ukrainian films of all genres and lengths. Also stay tuned for more Festival Guides: Through Ukrainian Eyes on our social media. Have a lovely screening – дивимось Українське Разом!

by Polina Buchak

Learn more about Razom efforts on the cultural diplomacy front within our Razom Culture project.

Marking 365 Days of Resilience. Events to Attend

Published: February 13, 2023

February 24th, 2023 marks the one year anniversary of the full-scale russian invasion. Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity were brutally violated on that early winter morning. It has been 365 days of the people of Ukraine showing pure courage and dignity in their fight for freedom.

Join Razom and other organizations and initiatives to express support and show that the world stands with Ukraine in the face of russian terror. Consider attending the following events and spread the word that Ukraine is still fighting to preserve its independence one year after the full-scale invasion.

February 23 | 8 PM

Somerset, NJ | Ukrainian Cultural Center of the UOC of the USA

Let’s Prayerfully Honor the Victims of the War in Ukraine

February 22 – 23 | 11 AM – 5:30 PM

Washington, DC |900 15th Street NW | Victims of Communism Museum

“War Up Close” Exhibition

February 23rd | 3 PM

Brooklyn, NY | Asser Levy Park

Gathering

February 23rd | 7 PM

NYC |russian consulate (East 91st Street)

Silent Candle Vigil

February 24th | 8 – 9 AM

NYC | Bowling Green Park

Ukrainian Flag Raising Ceremony

February 24th | 12 – 6 PM

New York | Ukrainian Institute of America

Unbreakable Spirit: Commemorating One Year of Ukraine’s Resilience and Resistance

Open House

February 24th |10 AM

NYC |Dag Hammarsköld plaza

Protest

February 24th | 6 PM

Columbus, OH |Ohio State House

365 Days of Defending Freedom

February 24th | 6:30 PM

Passaic, NJ | St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church

Soborna Panakhyda (Memorial Service) and Candlelight Vigil in Support of Ukraine’s Fight

February 24th | 7 PM

Washington, D.C.

1 Year of War Candlelight Vigil for Ukraine

February 24th | 8 PM

NYC | Manhattan

Calendar of War Commemoration

February 25th

NYC |St. George’s Church

Morning Prayers

February 25th | 2 PM

Washington, D.C.

1 Year of russia’s Full-Scale War Against Ukraine
Mass Rally

FUNDRAISING EVENTS

SAVE THE DATE

April 23 – 25, 2023

Washington, DC

Ukraine Action Summit | A Community Event on the Hill

More events that support Ukraine and Razom

Holiday Wishes from Razom

Published: December 22, 2022

Dear Razom community,

Words cannot fully express our gratitude for staying razom (together) this year. We wish you and your families a happy holiday season and we send our heartfelt thanks for your support. If you’re looking for ways to continue to engage with Ukraine over the holidays, we’d like you to consider these ideas:

After President Zalensky’s historic visit and speech to a joint session Congress, reach out to your representatives today and tomorrow to call on them to schedule a vote on H.Res.1205, which would recognize russia’s actions in Ukraine as genocide. Follow this link to easily email, call, and tweet your Members of Congress.
Join our year end giving campaign to help Ukrainians get through this winter. With your support, we can keep Ukrainians alive and connected to each other by providing additional portable heat and power sources. Visit our Donations Page for more info, including how to get your employer to match your gift this year. Our donations team is also here to help, just email: donations@razomforukraine.org.
If you’re still working through your gift shopping list, consider buying something made in Ukraine to support Ukraine’s economy and those who are creating through extraordinary circumstances. Razom rounded up a personal Holiday Gift Guide for some ideas.
Plan ahead for the remainder of December and into January with events that support Ukraine and Ukrainian culture. Razom hosts a calendar page on its website listing the best events happening across the U.S. and sometimes the world. If you’re in New York on Friday, December 30th join us at the Brooklyn Bowl at 7:30PM to raise up the spirit of Ukrainian resistance with Gogol Bordello, featuring an opening set by DJ Daria Kolomiec and balaklava blues from Toronto. It’s going to be epic!
Make your own Ukrainian cocktail for the holiday celebration you’re planning. Javelin, a super-premium vodka donating 100% of it’s proceeds to support the people of Ukraine through Razom, created a Winter Mule recipe for us. Check it out below.

Join us in contacting our Members of Congress now: https://www.votervoice.net/RAZOMFORUKRAINE/Campaigns/98795/Respond

russia has weaponized winter in Ukraine by targeting power grids and energy infrastructure all over the country, Razom is working to help as many defenders, first-responders, hospitals, and civilians as we can get through this extremely difficult time. Your donation today, can help us scale.

The Razom Holiday Gift Guide is a curated a list of Ukrainian brands and made-in-Ukraine products that will serve as a wonderful gift for your loved ones, and will support those who are still creating, doing and representing Ukraine. They are working through extraordinary times, and we have the power to support them in the process.

We keep track of a list of upcoming events at https://www.razomforukraine.org/calendar/ where you can find the best events to support Ukraine and Ukrainian culture around the country. If you’re in NYC, we’ll see you at the Gogol Bordello concert presenting Ukrainian NYC Unite Eve on 12/30 @ 7:30PM!

If you’re going to celebrate this holiday season, consider making a Winter Mule using Javelin vodka who’s donating 100% of its proceeds to Razom to help Ukrainians get through the winter.
2 oz Javelin
1/2 oz lemon
1/2 oz pomegranate juice
Add all ingredients to drinking glass, add ice and top with ginger beer, add sprig of rosemary and lemon wheel
Будьмо!

This past weekend, with the onset of the holiday season, we wanted to recognize the hard work of our volunteers by hosting two Volunteer Appreciation Events — one virtual event to welcome all of our volunteers across countries and continents, and one in-person event inside the Ukrainian National Home in NYC’s Ukrainian Village neighborhood featuring many warm hugs and words of gratitude. Razom is a community. We love working, learning, and growing together. This holiday season, we’re thankful for the opportunity to be with all of Razom’s dedicated volunteers and supporters across different mediums and platforms to continue doing good work for Ukraine.

May you find peace and joy this season, and may Ukraine prevail soon!

Donate Now

Shchedryk Centennial Concert at Carnegie Hall

Published: December 14, 2022

Razom is very proud to have co-presented the Notes From Ukraine concert at Carnegie Hall that took place on December 4th, 2022. No less than the Concert of the century! The concert that celebrated a 100 years of Shchedryk being presented to the same historic location of New York City.

“‘Carol of the Bells’, a Christmas Staple From Ukraine, a Century Later” – read the title of The New York Times article. And continues stating: “It started as “Shchedryk”, a song about a little bird that was first performed in the United States in 1922. Its enchanting melody has since been sung by Beyoncé and Barenaked Ladies”.

And for us, Notes from Ukraine was a holiday miracle three years in the making, and we are so grateful to everyone who took part in making this incredible experience happen. From bringing the children’s choir, Shchedryk, to the US from Ukraine, to feeding the choir, to co-organizing the concert, finding transportation from rehearsal to rehearsal every day, and doing everything in our power to fill every seat at Carnegie (which was sold out!) – we did it, together, which is the true spirit of what it means to be Razom. As one example of such Razom spirit, we brought together recently displaced Ukrainians that we have been working with, led by volunteer Mariia Khorun under the Ukrainian Response Initiative, to take care of the children from Shchedryk and show them the magic of New York City during the holidays.

Have a look at the video that went viral on Instagram and has been featured in media all over the world – The ‘Shchedryk’ children’s choir from Kyiv, Ukraine performing the Carol of the Bells (Щедрик) at Grand Central Terminal in New York City. The choir had just flown in from Poland the night before and immediately took Big Apple by storm!

We were beyond honored to have Vera Farmiga and Martin Scorsese* as our hosts and deeply appreciate their contribution to the promotion of Ukrainian culture in the world.

If you could not join us for Notes From Ukraine in person at Carnegie Hall, or if you would like to recollect those special moments and notes, watch the recording of the concert and experience the magic from the comfort of your home.

We are thankful to our generous partner Vimeo that we are able to share Ukrainian heritage through the power of music with you and the rest of the world.

But the project isn’t over yet! When the curtain drops, the real work begins. Razom took on the financial burden of putting on this great concert and we need your help in making sure we can tie up all the loose ends. We incurred many unexpected expenses and tried to spend money wisely by relying on our volunteers to lend a helping hand each step of the way (thank you x 1,000).

Please head to NotesFromUkraine.org to find ways to donate to support Notes From Ukraine and get the very last tickets to this once-in-century concert. You can also support the children’s choir and their travels to the US to perform at Carnegie Hall directly here: https://htru.io/SzJP

Learn more about other Razom efforts on the cultural diplomacy front within our Razom Culture project.

*The hosts of the Notes From Ukraine concert were an American actress of Ukrainian heritage, Vera Farmiga, and movie director and legend of New York, Martin Scorsese.

Vera Farmiga was born in Clifton, New Jersey to Ukrainian parents. She did not speak English until the age of six and was raised in a Ukrainian Catholic home. She is best known for her roles in movies like Return to Paradise, Autumn in New York, The Departed, The Manchurian Candidate, Up in the Air and Bates Motel for which she received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Vera has been a keen supporter of Ukraine since the full-scale Russian invasion.

Martin Scorsese is a native New Yorker from Queens with roots in Palermo, Sicily. He was raised in the neighborhood of Little Italy, which later provided inspiration for several of his films. It is hard to encompass the full artistic heritage of Scorsese, but his most famous directing works include Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Shutter Island, Aviator, The Wolf of Wall Street and The Irishman. Five of his films have been inducted into the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.”

Razom Toy Drive in New York for Children in Ukraine

Published: December 11, 2022

Good news from our Razom Toy Drive. It is the 9th consecutive year of a toy drive held at the Ukrainian school Samopomich in New York. And it was yet another successful collection of toys and presents for our mentees in Ukraine – children whose one or both parents were killed in the war, children who need a glimpse of hope and joy for the holidays, who need to know that the world cares. Currently we have over a thousand kids on our list. So this year we even had two days of toy drive, which allowed everyone who wished to support these kids to bring their donations to the location. Thanks to the amazing community of Ukraine supporters the drive has collected a full pallet of gifts, which will be shipped to Ukraine shortly. And your monetary donations will cover the cost of the shipment. These gifts will form a collection of toys, clothes and other presents to be sent to Ukrainian children for birthdays and other holidays throughout the next year.

Our special thanks go to Ivan Makar for supporting the Toy Drive at the Ukrainian School and the help with inviting the parents to join! We are grateful to our incredible Razom Toy Drive team, Oksana Lytvyn, Oksana Korposh, Halyna Ka and Oksana Bazylevych for their continuous hard work! And big thanks to our project leader in Ukraine – Liudmyla Kravtsova, who will make sure the gifts will reach the children on the ground!

Stay tuned for more updates, and to see the happy faces of the little Ukrainians when they receive the gifts – please join our Facebook group.

We also continue fundraising for the Razom Toy Drive on Facebook and here.
Consider donating today to help bring light and joy into Ukrainian children’s lives.

donate with credit card

donate with paypal

Razom at Congressional Hearing “Crowdsourcing Victory”

Published: December 8, 2022

Razom is honored to have been part of the Congressional hearing hosted by the Helsinki Commission on a topic near and dear to our hearts, “Crowdsourcing victory” with our great colleagues from Prytula Charity Foundation, Come Back Alive, and Blue/Yellow.

The following witnesses testified in front of Congress on Wednesday, December 7, 2022:
1. Dora Chomiak, President of the U.S.-based NGO Razom for Ukraine
2. Taras Chmut, Director of the Ukraine-based foundation Come Back Alive
3. Serhiy Prytula, Founder and Chairman of the Ukraine-based Prytula Charity Foundation
4. Jonas Öhman, Founder and Head of the Lithuania-based NGO Blue/Yellow for Ukraine

Razom team members have been fine-tuning the testimony for weeks to accurately convey Razom’s mission to provide critical humanitarian war relief and to give justice to Razom’s volunteers, whose dedication is a cornerstone of all Razom’s operations. This hearing was important on many levels, but our main goal was to showcase the American people’s continued and strong support of Ukraine through their support of Razom.

The testimonies served to remind Congress that civil societies worldwide are united in pursuit of a decisive Ukrainian victory. After hours of discussion, editing, and practice in preparation for the testimony – we hope we have shown Congress what it means to be Razom. Because… we are all in this together, Razom.

We thank everyone who made this hearing happen. We are grateful to Helsinki Commission for hosting the hearing and inviting Razom. And our huge thanks to the Razom team behind the scenes and our President Dora Chomiak, who did an outstanding job testifying in front of Congress.

Thank you to the people of Ukraine and the United States for trusting us! We are certain – Ukraine will win.

Watch the full Congressional hearing “Crowdsourcing Victory. Inside the Civil Society Campaign to Improve the Lethality and Survivability of the Ukrainian Military”:

Read the written testimony submitted by Razom

Additionally, early on the same day, our Razom Advocacy Team held a briefing for congressional staffers on designating russia a State Sponsor of Terrorism and invited Ambassador Bill Taylor and expert Dr. Azeem Ibrahim to speak and give commentary on the topic. The briefing was hosted by the offices of Congressmen Steve Cohen and Joe Wilson, who were also present at the briefing to give their remarks. Michael Sawkiw of UNIS also joined us to give final comments. Again, we thank everyone involved in this important work.

Learn more about the work of our Razom Advocacy team here.

Holiday Gift Guide

Published: November 22, 2022

This holiday season Razom invites you to support Ukraine and Ukrainians through your gift shopping. Below is a curated list of Ukrainian brands and made-in-Ukraine products that will serve as a wonderful gift for your loved ones, and will support those who are still creating, doing and representing Ukraine. They are working through extraordinary times, and we have the power to support them in the process. This list is personal to Razom – we’ve shopped there ourselves, we’ve volunteered backstage for them at New York Fashion Week, we helped raise the funds needed to translate their works, and brought joy to our loved ones when gifting from some of these places. The list is organized by category – Home Decor, Apparel, Toys and Books, and everyone ships internationally.

Newsletter #32: Check out a new initiative, Razom Toy Drive

Published: November 18, 2022

This week, the first snowfall, the largest barrage of missiles to date targeting civilian infrastructure, recurring blackouts across many parts of Ukraine, and uncovering the devastation left behind in newly liberated Ukrainian territories, have become the new normal for Ukrainians. However their resolve, and ours, is stronger than ever. Just watch the video of a Kyiv Children’s Choir “Shchedryk” rehearsing for their upcoming Dec 4th performance at Carnegie Hall in the dark, in a bomb shelter, during air raid sirens.

Dear Razom community,

In the past few weeks you’ve had a chance to learn about Razom projects beyond our Emergency Response Project that’s been running nonstop since Feb 24th delivering critical humanitarian aid to the most in-need parts of Ukraine. Make no mistake, this remains our top priority, especially as the situation on the ground shifts with winter here and more infrastructure than ever before having been destroyed. Delivering aid that provides electricity or warmth, saves lives in Ukraine today,so please continue to support that work.

However there are so many other ways Ukraine is being effected by this relentless, brutal war. Today there are thousands of orphaned children in Ukraine, whose father or mother, or in some cases both, died defending Ukraine.Razom Toy Drive, one of our earliest projects started in May 2014, provides assistance to these children by sending school essentials, birthday and holiday presents (including toys!), and other humanitarian assistance their way every year since 2014.

In the past couple of weeks, our volunteers sent 130 high-quality winter coats to 130 of these kids. But as the holiday season approaches, we’d like to call upon your help to bring some peace and joy to children of war in Ukraine. Donate here or here to support Razom Toy Drive to expand the pool of children we can help, and gift them a portable power bank with a LED flashlight. In their world of rolling blackouts and hiding in bomb shelters and basements during regular air-raids across Ukraine, this $30 gadget will go a long way for the darkest nights before Ukraine’s victory.

Support Razom Toy Drive

Razom has combined fundraising efforts with Nova Ukraine to ensure we can invest $120,000 to help buy a “Kovcheg,” an armored all-terrain vehicle, for the Pirogov First Volunteer Mobile Hospital (PFVMH) as soon as possible. Over the past eight years, since russia’s invasion in 2014, PFVMH became known as “angels in white coats,” 500+ physicians, paramedics, and support staff as volunteers providing medical care on the frontline of the war in Ukraine. They operate on the wounded and sew them on the way to base hospitals.

For the last 6 months (May-October) PFVMH treated (extracted, stabilized and evacuated to the base hospitals) 3,563 patients in the Donbas region alone.

PFVMH has always acted in the hottest zones. From the first days of the active counteroffensive in Kharkiv region, they’ve followed Dyke Pole 518 Special Military Unit in Balakliya, Hrushivka, Husarivka and other villages. Now they are also treating people in Bakhmut and in a recently liberated Lyman.

The Razom Grants project has supported this group for many months now, helping them get tactical medicine, vehicles and fuel, a portable x-ray, and now, let’s help them secure a Kovcheg! It costs $250,000 (already a reduced price) and because Kovcheg is in Ukraine, it can be purchased quickly and without any additional charges (customs fees etc). PFVMH already has everything needed to transform the vehicle into a stabilization center.

Donate on facebook or by clicking the button below that’ll take you to our website.

Help Us Buy a Kovcheg

In the meantime, below are some of our regularly scheduled updates for our Emergency Response and Hospitals projects. This is an impressive operation with a dedicated team that ensures delivery of aid in the hands of the end-user. Our team works in four countries, US, Canada, Poland, and Ukraine, with a warehouse in each country. That team is split into procurement (with specializations in medical versus technical devices and aid), logistics (international shipping, customs), Ukrainian warehouse staff who sorts and prepares “orders” for distribution across Ukraine, “customer support” representatives who collect and verify those orders, drivers who deliver aid directly to first-responders and defenders, and technologists who maintain a software system that allows us to efficiently track every package that leaves our warehouse in Ukraine.

For example, on November 12 Razom delivered over 180 medical first-aid kits of the highest quality to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the Mykolaiv region. That was our 27th (!!) delivery to an outpost of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. This government agency are first-responders when russian missiles strike, and key actors demining de-occupied territories of Ukraine. Countless civilian lives are saved thanks to their work everyday.

As for our Hospitals team, managing in-kind donations and medical missions, most recently they worked with Henry Schein who donated 17 pallets of hygiene kits through our dedicated partner MedShare, providing essential items and honoring the dignity of Ukrainian civilians living amid war. Razom partner and grantee, Rescue Now, distributed these kits in line with their ongoing work to provide humanitarian aid in Eastern Ukraine. The individuals pictured below are residents of Kharkiv.

On November 25, Ukrainians around the world commemorate Holodomor Remembrance Day, remembering the millions of Ukrainians starved to death by the Soviet regime in an artificially-created famine. Today, less than a hundred years later, the Ukrainian nation is again fighting for its right to exist.

S.Res. 713 and H.Res. 1205 recognize Russia’s actions in Ukraine as genocide. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine unambiguously meets the definition of the term genocide as defined by the Genocide Convention and reflected in U.S. law. Passing this important resolution reaffirms America’s commitment to our fundamental principles and underscores the seriousness of Russia’s crimes.

We ask our community and friends to please email, call, or tweet your Members of Congress today and ask them to cosponsor and support this important resolution! You can follow Razom’s latest call to action here: https://www.votervoice.net/RAZOMF…/Campaigns/98795/Respond

Join us in contacting our Members of Congress now: https://www.votervoice.net/RAZOMF…/Campaigns/98795/Respond

We’ve been counting down the days until Notes From Ukraine, the 100th anniversary concert celebrating Ukrainian “Carol of the Bells” at Carnegie Hall and returning to the Stern Auditorium/Perelman stage for one day only!

Tickets are selling fast and sponsorship opportunities for businesses are still available, but what we ask of you after the latest missile attacks on Ukraine this week, is to help us bring the Kyiv Children’s Choir «Shchedryk», who will be performing at the concert, to NYC. Below is a little peak into their rehearsals this week. As Kyiv goes through constant power shutdowns, the kids are left to rehearse in darkness and during air raid alarms, in bomb shelters. Despite all the challenges, the choir persists in its mission to represent Ukraine to an international audience — just like the Ukrainian Republic Capella 100 yers ago. Our «Shchedryk» Choir may be rehearsing in the dark bomb shelters now, but in a month they will be on a bright stage of Carnegie Hall and a warm audience awaits them. Help us to bring them to NYC by making a donation here and become a part of the history of promoting and preserving Ukrainian culture.

Kyiv Children’s Choir «Shchedryk» rehearses in the dark, determined to come to Carnegie Hall to perform on Deember 4, 2022.
On October 5, 1922, the Ukrainian Republic Capella performed in New York City’s Carnegie Hall and North American audiences heard for the first time Mykola Leontovych’s “Shchedryk”, a traditional Ukrainian song that would become the beloved holiday classic, “Carol of the Bells.”

Bring Ukrainian Children to Carnegie Hall

There are a number of amazing projects you can support that will bring you closer with Ukrainian culture, art, and history. Below is a roundup of some of those events and fundraising opportunities. Moving forward, you’ll also be able to catch the most up to date schedule of events and creative fundraising campaigns on our website here.

In New York:

On Sunday, November 19, 7-11PM the Lisovi Chorty Plast Fraternity is celebrating their centenary by hosting a formal costume ball, or Kostyumivka, at the Ukrainian Institute of America in New York City. The elegant affair will be a fundraiser to support humanitarian aid efforts in Ukraine. Secure your tickets here.
Closing on Sunday, November 20, 11AM – 6PM at Howl! Arts New York is Yara Arts Group’s presentation of “Mariupol,” an exhibition of award-winning photographs and video by Evgeniy Maloletka and Mstyslav Chernov (AP) from the first days Russia invaded Ukraine this year. There were no funerals. No memorials. No public gatherings to mourn those killed by Russia’s relentless attacks on the port city of Mariupol that became a symbol of Ukraine’s ferocious resistance. The mass grave trenches told the story of a city under siege. You catch the exhibit everyday this week until Sunday.
On Sunday, December 4, 2PM Notes From Ukraine, a concertdedicated to 100 years of “Shchedryk” and highlighting Ukrainian music and the connections between Ukrainian and American cultures, will take the stage at Carnegie Hall. Secure your tickets here!
On Saturday, December 10, 12:30PM – 3:30PM at the Kolo Klub come join Namaste Hoboken for its holiday party in support of Ukraine.

In Washinton, D.C.:

On Wednesday, November 30, 5:30-8:30PM, the U.S. – Ukraine Foundation will host the D.C. premier of Freedom on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom, an incredible documentary film by Evgeny Afinevsky is a sequel to his 2015 documentary Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom. Secure your ticket here.

In Massachusetts:

The Oxbow Gallery in Easthampton, MA will be showing a series of new oil paintings by Joanne Holtje, “Lamentations,” from October 27-November 27, 2022. Begun in early 2022, this series served as a way for her to bear witness to the horror of the invasion of Ukraine. The proceeds of sales from the show, plus an additional 20% match from an anonymous donor will be donated to Razom.
On Friday, December 16, 8 – 9:30PM, the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra presents Holiday Pops 2022, a festive, glamorous night out featuring Sleigh Ride and the world premiere of Scrooge: A Christmas Overture by composer Donald Fraser—featuring Vira Slywotzky, soprano.
The Grimshaw-Gudewicz Art Gallery at Bristol County Community College in Fall River, MA will be showing an exhibition called Eye of the Beholder (Don’t Close Your Eyes): Ukrainian Artists Respond to the War, from November 10-December 22. With over 120 pieces on display, these works evoke the resolve and the anguish of the Ukrainian people and what they are experiencing as events unfold. All art is on sale, with 50% of the sale price going to the artist and 50% to humanitarian organizations like Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation and Come Back Alive.

In Florida:

Introducing to the world: KOLO, an unparalleled immersive visual experience and theatrical dance show celebrating the rich artistic and cultural heritage of Ukraine! The first of its kind, KOLO is the brainchild of award-winning, Ukrainian-bred competitive ballroom dancers and partners, Iaroslav and Liliia Bieliei, both natives of Kyiv who now call Los Angeles home. The show is launching its North American tour in Florida:
- December 26, 3PM and 7PM at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota, FL
- December 29, 8PM at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg, FL

Online:

You can now buy a cool gaming bundle on Humble Bundle, who sells games, ebooks, software, and other digital content, while supporting Razom. Make a choice of 2, 5 or 9 games and proceeds from your purchase will support Razom in continuing to send aid to Ukraine.
Stream a historic performance of the National Ballet of Ukraine from Orlando, FL at the prestigious Steinmetz Hall on August 27, 2022, and donate to help raise humanitarian aid for Ukrainian children and families. The National Ballet of Ukraine is considered one of the top ranked ballet companies in the world. Cozy up with your friends and loved ones and watch a special performance that affirms the power of art and beauty over tyranny and destruction.
Awethentic Gallery’s latest charity campaign, Prints for Ukraine, features a variety of artworks from award-winning journalists and photographers across the world, including Mykhaylo Palinchak who served as the official photographer of the President of Ukraine; Emmy-nominated journalist Laurel Chor and renowned documentary photographer, Natalie Keyssar. All artworks are $150 and 100% of net proceeds of prints go directly to our artists and critical humanitarian war relief charities Razom and World Central Kitchen.
“Invasion: Music and Art for Ukraine” CD is a project by Ukrainian-American GRAMMY® Award-winning pianist Nadia Shpachenko featuring music by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Lewis Spratlan and art by outstanding Ukrainian artists Lesia Babliak, Yurii Nagulko, Olena Papka, Kati Prusenko, and Aza Nizi Maza Studio children artists, directed by Mykola Kolomiets. All proceeds go to Razom.

Globally:

Started by a Ukrainian yoga teacher, Yoga4Ukraine aims to bring together 1,000 yoga teachers all around the world that each donate ONE yoga class! Any style, any format, anywhere, anytime. Visit www.yoga4ukraine.com to officially become a part of the Yoga4Ukraine project or find a class near you, and get your Yoga4Ukraine t-shirt to support the initiative today. All donations will benefit United24 and Razom.

Thank you so much for reading this newsletter, sharing it, generously donating to many of our important projects, and for showing your support of Ukraine. We are immensely grateful.

Stay razom.

P.S. – why not add Razom to your AmazonSmile so that every time you shop, we get a 0.5% of that total as a donation. As of Sept 2022, Razom has received $4,550 from AmazonSmile. To shop at AmazonSmile, simply go to smile.amazon.com on your web browser and activate AmazonSmile on the Amazon Shopping app on your iOS or Android phone (found under settings on your app).

Donate to RAZOM