HIAS, originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, hits close to home.

The organization supports Jewish refugees and asylum seekers worldwide, helping those who need to immigrate safely. Since 2024, HIAS has helped 1.4 million displaced people. One of its success stories is deeply personal.

RoundPeg founder, Polina Pinchevsky, and her family relied on HIAS’ support when they were refugees fleeing the former Soviet Union’s regime in the early 1980s. With HIAS’ help, Polina and her parents were able to escape Leonid Brezhnev’s oppressive rule and land on American soil one snowy April night in 1982.

HIAS is the world’s oldest refugee agency. It was initially founded by Jews to help other Jews escape religious persecution and poverty. However, today, the organization supports all refugees and displaced people around the world regardless of their religious affiliation.

Please join us in supporting the refugee community by making a charitable contribution here.

If you would like to learn more about Polina’s journey to the U.S., read more here.