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

Razom is a presenting partner on the US theatrical release of 20 Days in Mariupol

Published: July 31, 2023

A BRAVE, VISCERAL, MERCILESS MASTERPIECE… FEELS LIKE A CINEMATIC SIEGE OF THE SOUL.

Ed Vulliamy, The Guardian

Razom is proud to be a presenting partner with PBS Frontline and the Associated Press on the US theatrical release of the award-winning Ukrainian documentary “20 Days In Mariupol,” directed by the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and filmmaker, Mstyslav Chernov. Earlier this year, the film won the audience award at the Sundance Film Festival.

The documentary follows an AP team of Ukrainian journalists who were trapped in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol during the first weeks of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The film documents their struggle to continue their work documenting Russian atrocities. As the only international reporters who remained in the city, they captured what later became defining images of the war: dying children, mass graves, the bombing of a maternity hospital, and more.

Our own Polina Buchak and Christopher Atwood helped coordinate the screenings with PBS Frontline. After a packed pre-release private screening, Polina Buchak moderated a conversation with director Mstyslav Chernov. The two spoke about how and when his reporting shifted into documenting the invasion of the city. Mstyslav spoke about how he navigates being a journalist, filmmaker, and, most importantly, Ukrainian while documenting the brutal invasion of Mariupol.

Razom co-presented the sold-out first screenings of the film, on July 14th-16th in New York, together with the Ukrainian Institute of America and PEN America. We are proud to have connected the film to our extensive network of organizations and activists around the film to promote the screenings in cities around the country. We want to thank Film Forum for supporting Ukrainian storytelling as well as our friends at the Ukrainian Institute of America and PEN America for helping us amplify and raise awareness about the documentary. In fact, the film has proven so popular that its New York screening run at Film Forum has been extended until August 3rd.

We encourage you to help us continue to make noise and spread the word on social media and find tickets to a screening near you via 20daysinmariupol.com. Keep in mind that screening dates can be extended, so always double-check with your local theater. And remember to tag the filmmakers while you’re making noise online, so they can feel your support!

Razom & LEAP Global Missions & CMA UA – training trip to Lviv in March 2023.

Published: July 5, 2023

Razom for Ukraine welcomed back a team of doctors from LEAP Global Missions who completed their 7-day medical visit to Lviv in March 2023. The team consulted more than 200 children and performed 35 highly-skilled surgeries at following hospitals: Ohkhmadyt Lviv Regional Children’s Hospital, First Emergency Adult Hospital, St. Nicholas Children’s Hospital, and a Military Hospital.

The team was organized by Dr. Steve Orten (tag), a plastic surgeon from Texas who visited Ukrainian hospitals independently in 2022 and shared his experience with US colleagues from LEAP Global Missions (tag), motivating them to visit Ukraine. The team’s preparation lasted two months, including regular Zoom meetings with Ukrainian doctors, patient selection, and revision of medical supplies.

Photo: Dr. Steve Orten, Plastic Surgeon from Texas USA and Ukrainian surgeon Dr. Christina Pohranychna look at CT scans of a patient in Lviv Regional Children’s Hospital as the father looks on.

The Co-Pilot Project: an initiative within Razom for Ukraine which coordinates and supports medical missions, supports this team of surgeons by covering housing, food, medical supplies, transportation, and providing scrubs to the doctors. Drs. Steve Orten (tag) and Craig Hobar (tag) led a team of 11 doctors who specialized in head and neck reconstruction, craniofacial surgeries and orthodontics, neurosurgery, urology and dermatology. Local logistics were organized by CMA UA (tag ) to make doctors feel at home in the Ukrainian city of Lviv.

LEAP surgeons collaborated with Ukrainian surgeons in treating complicated craniofacial cases. “Our team worked with incredibly capable, professional, respectable Ukrainian surgeons. LEAP’s mission was to expose them to new surgical techniques, and LEAP was excited to assist with this cooperative relationship,” commented LEAP Media Director Jon Cermin, who documented the trip.

The medical team provided treatment for babies and children with birth defects, tumors of both children and adults in the head and neck area, traumas and scar revisions caused by shelling, from burns and other traumatic events. Two of the surgeries performed during the trip were complex maxillary midface advancement surgeries with computer planning, led by Dr. Craig Hobar, the Founder and Medical Director of LEAP Global Missions. The surgeries are expected to have a significant impact on the two young men’s quality of life, including how they function, eat, and even smile. Having exposure to this surgical procedure will change how these cases can be managed in the future in Ukraine.

The team included Ukrainian-American doctors, Dr. Victor Cherkasij (tag), Skin Cancer and Cosmetic Dermatology PC. Dr. Cherkasij not only treated difficult dermatological cases but also translated for his colleagues. He believes one week is not enough and plans to return for two or three weeks.

“Since the war started, I’ve been watching the war trying to understand and I was seeing the horrors of the war and I always felt I wanted to help Ukraine. I’m very happy I have something to offer, and we hope we will do it again.” – said James Suen(tag), MD, from University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Photo: Dr. James Suen, Facial Plastic Surgery Otolaryngologist, Little Rock, Arkansas, Victor Cherkasij, PA, Dermatology from Cleveland, Tennessee and Dr. Christina Pohranychna, Okhmadyt Lviv Regional Children’s Hospital, Ukraine

The educational and training component of medical visits is the most important part that helps to establish a sustainable professional health care system in Ukraine.

Dr. Cheryl Anderson-Cermin (tag), craniofacial orthodontist, gave lectures to dental students, as well as the orthodontic residents from the Orthodontic Department of the Dental School in Lviv in regards to management of the infant, adolescent and adult individual with cleft lip and palate

Photo: Dr. Cheryl Anderson-Cermin, DDS, Craniofacial Orthodontics giving lecture to Ukrainian students in the the Orthodontic Department of the Dental School in Lviv

Dr. Anderson-Cermin outlined that the goals in this partnership are to bring additional expertise in these areas as the orthodontist on the team walks the child and the family through the process of the initial diagnosis, to the end of the growing years. The importance of psychological support for these families is also stressed, and the orthodontist has a significant role to play in this regard. Supplies were presented to the Orthodontic department to allow them to properly evaluate and treat future individuals.

It is worth mentioning that the urgent need for such complex surgeries in Ukraine is more significant than ever before. Thus, medical trips like this one are crucial for the treatment of patients who are in need. As these trips not only provide medical treatment, but more importantly, allow transfer of knowledge and skills to Ukrainian medical professionals.

Thank you to LEAP Global Missions US TEAM for their support of Ukraine:

Craig Hobar, MD, Craniofacial/Plastics
Steve Orten, MD, Facial Plastic Surgeon
Setty Pradeep, MD, Neurosurgery/Spine
Suen James, MD, Facial Plastic Surgery/H&N
Mark Hnatiuk, MD, Craniofacial/Plastics
Roman Bukachevsky, MD, ENT/Facial Plastics
Cheryl Cermin, DDS, Craniofacial Orthodontics
Victor Cherkasij, PA, Dermatology
Clanton Harrison, MD, Pediatric Urology
Jon Cermin, Photo/Video
Tatyana Bessmertnaya, Photo/Video/Translation

From Left: Rudy Myhovych, Christian Medical Assoc. Of Ukraine, Dr. Mark Hnatiuk, Dr. Pradeep Setty, Dr. Roman Bukachevsky, Dr. James Suen, Dr. Steve Orten, Dr. Clanton Harrison.

Leap Global Missions group:
In-front: Tatyana Bessmertnaya and Dr. Craig Hobar
In the back from left to right: Dr. Cheryl Anderson-Cermin, Dr. James Suen, Dr. Mark Hnatiuk, Dr. Steve Orten, Dr. Victor Czerkasij, Dr. Roman Bukachevsky, Dr. Pradeep Setty. Not pictured, Dr. Clanton Harrison

Cover photo: Photo: Dr. Craig Hobar assists Ukrainian surgeons Christina Pohranychna and Dr. Roman Ogonovsky, Ohkhmadyt Lviv Regional Children’s Hospital

Learn more about Co-Pilot project and missions.

By Yulia Shama

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.

Razom Ignites Passion for Ukrainian Literature with Book Tour for Rafeyenko’s Mondegreen

Published: March 12, 2023

Razom for Ukraine is passionate about promoting Ukrainian culture, art and literature. We were thrilled to support the publication of Volodymyr Rafeyenko’s book “Mondegreen” through our Razom Translates program, which raised funds for the translation of the book on Kickstarter. Thanks to the support of our generous donors, the book was published in early 2022.

Mondegreen is a critically acclaimed book that has received praise both in Ukraine and internationally. The book explores the themes of identity, memory, and language and is an important contribution to Ukrainian literature. Through our efforts in translating the book, we are helping to make sure that Ukrainian voices can reach a wider audience.

But our work didn’t stop there. In November 2022, we organized a book tour for Rafeyenko in the United States. Razom covered the author’s travel expenses, arranged his accommodations, and worked with other Ukrainian organizations and universities to organize book readings and events. One of the most exciting aspects of the tour was the active involvement of our Razom Book Club members, who were eager to host Rafeyenko and help bring him to their communities. This grassroots effort is a testament to the passion and commitment of our members to appreciating and promoting Ukrainian literature.

These are just a few examples of the truly inspiring collaborations with organizations and universities to organize book readings and get-togethers. Ania Solovey worked with the local chapter of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) and Emory University to put on an event in Atlanta. Irena Chalupa worked with UCCA, Ukraine House, and George Washington University to organize book readings in Washington D.C. And in Cleveland, Irina Bade, a member of Razom Book Club, organized a presentation at the Archive Museum. Maria Genkin moderated a session on the book during the 2022 ASEEES (Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies) Conference in Chicago in collaboration with Nataliya Shpylova-Saeed of Carlton University.

Overall, the book tour covered several cities, including Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, New Heaven, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego, and Washington, D.C. The book presentations also happened at Columbia’s Harriman Institute, Penn State, Harvard and UCSD. The events were a resounding success, with a large audience eager to hear the author speak about his book and his journey as a Ukrainian author. It was a great opportunity for the author to share his experiences and connect with his readers, sparking meaningful discussions and leaving a lasting impact on all who attended.

We’re proud of the work we’ve done to promote Ukrainian literature and culture in the United States, and we’re grateful for the support of our community and partners in making these events a success.

Learn more about and join our Razom Book Club to appreciate Ukrainian literature together.

Learn more about Razom Translates and support our efforts to promote Ukrainian literature in the world. (link)

donate with credit card

donate with paypal

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.

State Sponsor of Terrorism Designation: Debunking Common Misconceptions

Published: November 15, 2022

Since February 24, 2022, the Russian state has been deliberately and repeatedly targeting civilians, threatening them with death, injury, or forcible deportation to Russia. Russian forces regularly attack critical infrastructure, denying millions of Ukrainians electricity and water in an attempt to scare Ukraine into submission. Russia’s barbarities in Ukraine have long surpassed legal and policy thresholds for designating Russia as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. Russia must be designated a State Sponsor of Terrorism (SST).

In what follows, we debunk the most common misconception regarding the decision to designate Russia SST.

SST_Website-1

***

Learn more about Razom Advocacy here.

This Election Day, Vote for Ukrainian Victory

Published: November 7, 2022

Tuesday, November 8 is Election Day, and this year’s election is critical to ensure that Ukraine continues to receive the necessary support from the United States. Our team at Razom Advocacy encourages everyone who is eligible and cares about the future of Ukraine to make sure to vote by the time the polls close.

Why Should You Vote?

While voting is an important part of our civic duty as members of society, it also has an impact on the support that Ukraine will receive for the next two years. Many people do not turn out for midterm elections, but your vote is crucial at a time when many House and Senate chairmanships are due to change in 2023 and districts have been redrawn after the 2020 census. Only by voting can you show that Americans value continued support and aid to Ukraine.

It may sometimes feel that your single vote will not make much of a difference. However, many elections are decided by a relatively small number of votes, especially once you look past the larger races. In the last twenty years, there have been more than a dozen races decided by a single vote or ending in a tie, and many more have been decided by less than 1% of the vote.

How Should You Vote?

Voting processes differ vastly from state to state, and many states have already opened early voting for the past few weeks – and we are sure many of you have already voted. (If you have, thank you!)

If you have not yet voted, here are some resources to determine the best way to do so in your area:

Over 20 states allow voters to register on Election Day. If your state is one of them and you’re not registered, make sure you bring proof of residency with you to your polling place, such as a driver’s license or ID card. You can find out more information on the registration requirements for your state here.
You can locate your polling place by using Vote.org’s Polling Place Locater. It’s good to make a plan! Decide when you will vote and how you will get there – many local transportation options have discounts or special services to help voters access the polls.
Know your rights – check what you will need to bring with you, such as ID, before you leave. If you are in line when the polls close, keep your place – as long as you stay in line, you will be able to vote. If you experience any issues or anyone attempts to stop you from voting, call the election protection hotline at 866-687-8683 to report it. More information on Election Protection can be found here.
Vote.org’s Ballot Information page provides information on all of the candidates that will be on your ballot. If their stance on Ukraine isn’t readily available, a quick Google search of their name and Ukraine can bring up previous statements they may have made around the issue.

On Election Day, we can all play an important role in ensuring continued support for Ukraine from the United States. Thank you for your advocacy.

***

Learn more about Razom Advocacy here.

Razom x Face to Face Medical Mission

Published: November 5, 2022

During September 16-24th, Razom facilitated a medical mission for the group of 11 American doctors and nurses from AAFPRS (American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery) to deliver advanced reconstructive surgeries and corrective plastic procedures to patients who suffered as a result of russia’s war on Ukraine. In the spirit of collaboration and learning, American and Ukrainian colleagues worked side by side at the medical facility of Ivano Frankivsk Oblast Hospital.

On May 22, 2022, we received an email that read:

“My name is Dr. Manoj Abraham and I am a Facial Plastic Surgeon based in New York. I am the Chair of the Face To Face Committee, the humanitarian arm of the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and I am a Governor for the American College of Surgeons. We are looking to partner with anyone sending medical teams to safe areas in Ukraine or surrounding areas to help treat those with facial injuries from the war – we have experience doing this previously in Croatia. We will need to connect with hospitals and doctors in the local area to help coordinate, and I am hoping you can put me in touch with anyone who can help with making these arrangements. My contact information is listed below. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks, Manoj”

This email started a massive collaboration that resulted in the Razom x Face to Face Medical Mission, giving 31 Ukrainians, military and civilians alike, extremely complex reconstructive surgeries and a chance to have a normal life.

Our team immediately saw the incredible potential and the major challenge of implementing such a mission, especially in the ongoing war. At first, it seemed almost impossible to find and connect all the dots to make it happen. Even the American College of Surgeons sadly informed Dr. Manoj T. Abraham:

“Many of you have reached out to us, asking how you can contribute to the care of victims in war-torn Ukraine.

At this time, no current role or mechanism exists for safe travel to help in person.”

But Razom’s team decided to embrace the challenge. We mobilized all connections and resources available to us to ensure that such an altruistic and invaluable for Ukrainian people intention becomes a reality.

Razom for Ukraine has been bringing doctors from the US to Ukraine since 2016 to work with surgeons on the ground and perform neurosurgery as a part of The Co-Pilot Project initiated and run by Razom’s co-founder Mariya Soroka and her husband, Dr. Luke Tomycz, Neurosurgeon at The Epilepsy Institute of New Jersey. The project has been a huge success and has given us a decent network of Ukrainian and American healthcare professionals and partners.

Hundreds of hours, miles of correspondence, and countless Zoom calls went into planning this mission. First, we connected with Dr. Ivanka Nebor – ENT doctor, founder, and president of INgenius, a platform for the development of medicine and science in Ukraine. Thanks to her professional network of young physicians in Ukraine, we were able to install the first wheel to the Face to Face vehicle.

We needed a hospital with operating theaters, postoperative care units, inpatient wards, and possible intensive care units. It was vital not to disrupt the care that was already being provided to the patients. The Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Clinical Hospital and Ukrainian ENT doctor Natalia Komashko and her team courageously embraced a massive workload by taking on a lot of challenging cases in a short period of time.

American and Ukrainian — Dr. Natalia Komashko and Dr. Ivanka Nebor

Finding the Ukrainian doctors and a hospital both interested and able to facilitate the American doctors’ efforts was only the beginning. Ahead of us laid a lengthy and complex process of recruiting and screening the patients. INgenius has utilized its platform and social media outreach to spread the word.

Patients’ stories moved, shook, and horrified us. The survivors of russian aggression hailed from locations notorious for war crimes and atrocities, such as Bucha, Sumy, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Izyum. Repairing facial scars could be the final stage in their arduous medical journeys, allowing them to finally get closure, feel whole again, and return to society. Understanding that recuperation and readjustment to society are greatly aided by psychological rehabilitation, Razom invited our “Razom With You” therapists from the Ivano-Frankivsk Support Center to help the patients cope and process what happened to them.

English subtitles are available for this video

There were a large number of applications, but only the 34 most complicated ones could be selected. Not only did the patients need all of the supporting medical documentation for the screening process, but they also had to be physically able to withstand long hours of complicated surgeries.

After months of planning, long hours of surgery, and heartbreaking patient stories, this mission has deeply touched every participant. The American doctors’ and nurses’ incredible selfless devotion to helping people will long be remembered and appreciated by all Ukrainians.

The goal of this mission isn’t only to perform the medical procedures but to teach the Ukrainian doctors employ these incredible technologies in their practice. Throughout the entire week, all surgeries were broadcasted and available live for all medical professionals in Ukraine to observe and learn. Razom’s focus was always to support the democracy and prosperity in Ukraine, and modern healthcare is a vital part of any society. We strive to continue developing the avenues for education and experience exchange on both sides of the Atlantic by implementing more missions and projects that aid this process.

Please, donate to help us rebuild Ukraine and ensure that Ukrainian people have access to technologies available in the modern healthcare field

donate

donate with paypal

Category: Project Activity

Faces of Freedom: Uniting for Ukraine

Razom is a presenting partner on the US theatrical release of 20 Days in Mariupol

Razom & LEAP Global Missions & CMA UA – training trip to Lviv in March 2023.

Contemporary Ukrainian Cinema

A RISING FURY

FREEDOM ON FIRE: UKRAINE’S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM

SUNFLOWER FIELD (Short Film)

KLONDIKE

IRON BUTTERFLIES

Razom Ignites Passion for Ukrainian Literature with Book Tour for Rafeyenko’s Mondegreen

Holiday Gift Guide

State Sponsor of Terrorism Designation: Debunking Common Misconceptions

This Election Day, Vote for Ukrainian Victory

Razom x Face to Face Medical Mission

Razom Under Attack While Delivering Live Saving Aid in Sumy