In April 2022, at the invitation of JCC Krakow, American photographer Chuck Fishman traveled to Poland to photograph "survivors saving survivors". In other words, he sought to document the efforts of the JCC in its commitment to helping Ukrainian refugees fleeing their war-torn country. What he saw is testament to a central concept in Judaism, Tikkun Olam, "repairing the world", as well as to the significance of social action, the pursuit of social justice, and helping people in need.

Upwards of 600 refugees per day, seven days a week, patiently wait in line, to gain entry to the JCC's distribution center. Primarily women and children, they are met by Ukrainian-speaking workers and volunteers who assist them and restock shelves with food, clothing, medicine, diapers, hygienic supplies, toys, and essential items, all free of charge. As of late August over 150 tons of supplies have been distributed to 95,000 Ukrainian refugees from the JCC building and an even greater number by its partners in Krakow and beyond. The center held Passover seders, including one for Jewish Ukrainian refugees, and hosted a Ukrainian Orthodox Easter party.

"Our community was decimated by the Holocaust because the world was mostly silent. Now we have the opportunity to help others, and we are doing just that", said Jonathan Ornstein, JCC Krakow Executive Director.

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Over the course of his 45-year career, freelance photographer Chuck Fishman has focused on social and political issues with a strong humanistic concern. His work has been extensively published, exhibited, and collected worldwide, and has earned him prestigious World Press Photo Foundation medals on four separate occasions.

His photographs have appeared on the covers of Time, Life, Fortune, Newsweek, The London Sunday Times, The Economist and numerous others. Chuck’s work is included in the collections of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery; the United Nations; POLIN: The Museum of the History of Polish Jews; The Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona; The Studio Museum in Harlem; the Stanford University and New York Public Libraries; and Hogan Jazz Archive, Tulane University, to name a few, as well as private and corporate collections.

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In April 2022, at the invitation of JCC Krakow, American photographer Chuck Fishman traveled to Poland to photograph "survivors saving survivors". In other words, he sought to document the efforts of the JCC in its commitment to helping Ukrainian refugees fleeing their war-torn country. What he saw is testament to a central concept in Judaism, Tikkun Olam, "repairing the world", as well as to the significance of social action, the pursuit of social justice, and helping people in need.

Upwards of 600 refugees per day, seven days a week, patiently wait in line, to gain entry to the JCC's distribution center. Primarily women and children, they are met by Ukrainian-speaking workers and volunteers who assist them and restock shelves with food, clothing, medicine, diapers, hygienic supplies, toys, and essential items, all free of charge. As of late August over 150 tons of supplies have been distributed to 95,000 Ukrainian refugees from the JCC building and an even greater number by its partners in Krakow and beyond. The center held Passover seders, including one for Jewish Ukrainian refugees, and hosted a Ukrainian Orthodox Easter party.

"Our community was decimated by the Holocaust because the world was mostly silent. Now we have the opportunity to help others, and we are doing just that", said Jonathan Ornstein, JCC Krakow Executive Director.

‍

Over the course of his 45-year career, freelance photographer Chuck Fishman has focused on social and political issues with a strong humanistic concern. His work has been extensively published, exhibited, and collected worldwide, and has earned him prestigious World Press Photo Foundation medals on four separate occasions.

His photographs have appeared on the covers of Time, Life, Fortune, Newsweek, The London Sunday Times, The Economist and numerous others. Chuck’s work is included in the collections of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery; the United Nations; POLIN: The Museum of the History of Polish Jews; The Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona; The Studio Museum in Harlem; the Stanford University and New York Public Libraries; and Hogan Jazz Archive, Tulane University, to name a few, as well as private and corporate collections.