Ahead of Passover this year, the American Joint Distribution Committee is distributing matzot to elderly Jews in Odessa, Ukraine, at the Beit Grand Jewish Cultural Center’s Hesed Shaarei Tzion Welfare organization.

The organization is delivering more than 50,000 boxes of matza to needy Jews throughout the former Soviet Union, as well as offering seder meals, volunteer opportunities, cooking workshops and cultural performances.

The matza operation is a joint effort of scores of volunteers; the JDC; the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews; and the Claims Conference, which works to secure compensation and restitution for survivors of the Holocaust and heirs of victims.

“For generations, JDC has proudly helped Jewish communities celebrate Passover’s enduring message of freedom in the face of oppression,” said the group’s CEO David Schizer.

“Most poignantly, the Jews of the former Soviet Union, whose Jewish identity was almost extinguished, are now observing Passover with enormous vigor, innovative cultural fare, and a focus on ensuring their neediest fellow Jews share in the holiday.”