08/28/2025
Against All Odds: How Marina and Bogdan Found Strength Through JDC
For too many Jewish families around the globe, food, shelter, and peace of mind are scarce and precious resources. That’s certainly true for Marina Mayorov and her son Bogdan — two Jews struggling to survive in battered Odesa, Ukraine.
Born with a congenital heart defect, Bogdan has suffered from severe scoliosis, cerebral palsy, and epileptic attacks his entire life. Marina now cares for him all by herself — a 24/7 job that prevents her from finding other work.
Their only hope is the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) – a Jewish Federation of Cleveland beneficiary agency. Today, they depend on JDC for food, medicine, winter survival aid, medical equipment, and a connection to joyful Jewish life.
Despite the conflict in Ukraine, they know they're not alone. Bogdan gets to socialize with other young Jews with disabilities through vibrant community programming, and he enjoys spending time with his JDC social worker — together, they play the keyboard and pretend they're on “Ukraine's Got Talent.”
“I fear for my child's life and my own,” Marina told us. “Without JDC, we wouldn't survive now. They have welcomed me with open arms and with a pure soul.”
With your support of Federation's annual Campaign for Jewish Needs, you are able to help people like Marina, Bogdan, and at-risk Jews everywhere.
