More than 800 families from across UK Jewry have registered interest in hosting Ukrainian refugees through humanitarian aid charity World Jewish Relief.

WJR has described the response as “a testament to the Jewish community’s determination to assist Ukrainians facing trauma and displacement”.

Among those who have registered is Jimmy Strauss, 62, from Cricklewood, a retired stockbroker and chair of Belsize Square Synagogue.

“I live in a detached house with my wife and grown-up son,” he told the JC. “We have a spare room that can be used by at least three people.

“Both my parents were refugees from Nazi Germany. Britain provided a safe haven for them. Now my family and I would look to offer the same sanctuary.”

A former WJR trustee, Mr Strauss has “visited Ukraine and other Eastern European countries on several occasions and have enormous empathy with their current plight.

“Our Jewish heritage teaches us to reach out to the stranger. Through no fault of their own, these people have had to flee their homes and livelihoods. I cannot begin to imagine the distress that they are going through.”

Although his family was keen to help, he did have “concerns regarding the mental trauma” many of those fleeing the war may be suffering “and how we are going to be able to help them seek professional advice.

“I am aware that many of my late parents’ generation took many years to resolve their issues and, in many cases, remained very troubled until the end of their life.”

His wife Philippa, a former fund manager, was the “practical person and she will be great at trying to help with the logistics”.

WJR chief executive Paul Anticoni said: “Our community’s connections to Ukraine and our shared heritage and values drive this incredible response. We urge anyone who is able to offer up a room to register their interest.

“It is important to remember that the greatest scale of need is still in Ukraine itself, where people are internally displaced and living under attack. Our single most urgent need is for donations to our Ukraine Crisis Appeal so we can continue responding to humanitarian needs in Ukraine itself.”

The appeal has to date raised £4 million but the charity has revised its target to £10 million because of the scale and urgency of the need.