A Brooklyn family has led the effort in helping thousands of Ukrainian refugees escape their war-torn country into the neighboring nation of Moldova. 

Rabbi Zushe Abelsky has been working in Chisinau, Moldova as the leader of the Chabad House for three decades. His family lives in Crown Heights, but he spends a lot of time in the Eastern European country.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine started, Abelsky’s center in the capital city has been a hotbed of action. He's been working with the Chabad in Ukraine to arrange bus transportation across the border, straight to his center. He says all migrants who come through their doors are fed and given a place to sleep. 

His wife, Chaya Abelsky,  and his children at home in Brooklyn have been working to help as well. They've started an online campaign to help fundraise for his efforts so he never has to turn anyone away.  They've raised nearly $350,000 so far.

"Our biggest goal is to make sure their stopover in Moldova is a stop over to a new space in their life,” Chaya Abelsky says.

Each night the center can house over 200 people in its facilities. The family says around 3,000 refugees have come through the doors so far as their first stop to safety. 

For information on how you can help, visit the Chabad of Moldova's website or check out the fundraiser.