An Israeli non-profit that created pre-school programs for Ukrainian, Syrian and other refugee children has turned its attention closer to home.

Played by children in ESI safe space in Haifa for Ukraine and Russian refugees.

When the war started, it was clear that there would be suffering. But few understood how much needed to be done – urgently – to help keep Ukraine’s children from becoming scarred for life.

Early Starters International aims to offer safe spaces in which Ukrainian kids can play and learn, vital parts of early childhood development often forfeited in times of crisis

According to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, there are 8 million refugees from Ukraine across Europe, close to more than 5 million internally displaced people within Ukraine, and approximately 18 million people who need immediate humanitarian assistance.

Yentin works with small groups of refugees, providing a safe space for them to share their heavy memories of the war, along with exercises for expressing their anger.

For months now, dozens of Ukrainian refugees have lived here in Brevnov, occupying small, spartan rooms, each floor sharing a bathroom and communal kitchen. But few complain, grateful for the free accommodation. On the ground floor, there is a recreation center for children, run by an international NGO. Their parents say it's a godsend.

More than 30,000 refugees ended up in Israel, where an organization called Early Starters International offered their children early education classes. Hundreds of Ukrainian families accepted the offer, not realizing that in some cases, their children would be taught by Russians who had fled the same war they had escaped.

When Vladimir Putin began his war in Ukraine, many Russians were shocked. I know I was. We desperately wanted to do something to stop it immediately. Some of my friends and I went to the streets and tried to protest. But it was really scary, because we knew there was a real risk that we would go to prison — and a Russian prison is nothing like a safe European prison. You might face real violence, intimidation and even torture.

Early Starters International on Radio BBC World Service, voices of celebrations of 'Grandfather Winter' at the safe spaces for young refugee children from the war in Ukraine in Moldova.

Early Starters, an Israeli-founded nonprofit, has set up early childhood education and care centers in Moldova and Israel to serve Ukrainian child refugees.

Israel's Channel 12 News reports about the new migrants arriving to New York city and how Early Starters International is helping support the youngest children who have arrived.

Early Starters International, an Israeli nonprofit that’s been helping kids in Ukraine, now creating spaces to help kids fleeing from southern Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he is open to more negotiations with Hamas, which has insisted it would hold talks only when Israel halted attacks on Palestinians.

Israeli children grapple with war

About 200,000 Israelis have been evacuated from their homes in communities near the border with Gaza in the south or Lebanon in the north. They’ve been in hotels and guest houses for two months and have no idea when they’ll be able to go home. Linda Gradstein reports. Camera: Ricki Rosen.

Evacuated children from the Gaza war in ‘early starters’ safe spaces

From Moldova to Israel, Early Starters is attempting to peel back layers of trauma with good routine, positive experiences for children.

“Every child has the right to quality early childhood education, especially in times of war and after experiencing trauma,” said Ran Cohen Harounoff, cofounder of both Yalduta and Early Starters. “It’s our responsibility to provide a response that is professional and treats the children with dignity.”

These people personify the notion that activism is part of the Jewish DNA!