The children of Mishpacha were rushed into shelters moments before powerful missile explosions tore through the orphanage and nearby Jewish school. Shattered windows, damaged classrooms, and extensive damage have left Mishpacha working urgently to rebuild and restore the children’s school and home.
A devastating wave of Russian strikes struck Odessa overnight, directly hitting the Ohr Avner Jewish school and severely damaging Mishpacha Orphanage. Windows were blown out, bedrooms filled with shattered glass, doors were torn from their frames, and classrooms used by hundreds of children became unrecognizable within moments.
The moment the sirens began, caregivers inside the orphanage moved quickly. Staff members and older children helped carry the youngest children into the shelter just seconds before an explosion shook the block.
“We barely managed to close the door, and then the massive explosion hit,” recalled Rabbi Avraham Wolff, Director of the orphanage. “It shook the entire street.”
By morning, the damage was everywhere. Desks sat covered in broken glass. Hallways were filled with debris. Classroom windows had collapsed inward from the force of the blast. Despite the destruction, the staff immediately focused on one thing: helping the children feel safe again.
With their school rendered unusable, the children of Mishpacha were temporarily moved into a different Jewish school. Though they are learning in smaller classrooms, hallways, and protected shelter spaces, learning is continuing without interruption. Teachers reorganized lessons, caregivers comforted frightened children, and the orphanage returned to the routines and structure that bring the children stability during such difficult times.
“The children are our top priority,” said Rabbi Wolff. “First of all, we ensure that they feel safe. That they know there are people who love them, who care for them, and who will never abandon them.”
For many of the children at Mishpacha Ukraine, the orphanage is more than a place to live. It is their home, their school, their support system, and the place where they are surrounded by warmth, care, and community even in the midst of war.
Although rebuilding will be a long process, the emotional strength shown by the staff and children in the hours following the attack was just as powerful as the repairs themselves. From caregivers carrying children into shelter to teachers reopening classes the very next morning, every response reflected the same message: the children of Mishpacha will continue moving forward with courage, faith, and hope.
