Eye on Israel: Odessa, Ukraine

Once again today was a day of contrasts. It is midnight in Odessa after another long day. There were high's and low's and still many more questions. Often people say Federation is an umbrella organization. Personally, I do not like that phrase. I believe that we are an organization of people. Each person that we serve, and each institution that we support, creates a collective. We are individual stories that make up a collective. And, this collective too has a wonderfully rich story. It is a story full of pride, struggles, success, despair, disappointment, enlightenement, perseverance and determination. We arethe gle that holds it all together. Our day began with a visit to a Wolrd ORT school that we support in Odessa. It is an exceptional grade 1-11 school that focuses on math, science and technology; as well as Judaic studies. The school has won many awards, nationally and internationally. We were greeted by students.

From there we heard from the professional staff of World ORT about the mission and accomplishments of ORT. The work is extradorinary in 64 countires in the world. ORT is one of our international agencies working on our behalf. An ORT school principal from Riga, Latvia spoke about her school. She made a comment that hit very close to home. She stated that when Jews in Latvia were once again able to be openly Jewish they came to study in the ORT school because they had Jewish studies. Now, Jewish parents want to make sure their children are receiving the best all around education too. They use the same Hebrew curriculum, Tel-Am, that Heritage Academy and Lander-Grinspoon Academy use. Their Judaic studies combined with their world class science, math and technology program is what keeps people coming to the school. The challenges she spoke of in running a Jewish school were exactly the same as ours in Western Massachusetts. What if we could conquer these challenges together? The students who spoke to us about their experiences in the school were articulate and impressive. One boy, pictured below (Susan and I both thought he looks like my son Matan) spoke of needing to be in school because of anti-semitism that he faced in his public school. This school won the international robotics championship. Pictured below is a robot made by 5th and 6th graders.

From the proud high of our success in the ORT school, we drove to the Holocaust Memorial in Odessa. Ukranian towns, including Odessa, were decimated during the Holocaust. 2 million Ukranians perished in the Holocaust. We learned of the mass murders in Odessa. We arrived at the site in bleak rainy weather that turned into a torrential storm. The rain felt like the tears of 2 million people pounding down on us. We held a memorial service, recognized the righteous gentiles who bravely helped friends and neighbors, placed stones on the memorial and lit yartzeit candles. Pictures from the memorial are below.

The little boy pictured above, probably about 4 years old is an orphan who lives in a Jewish orphanage called Beit Hatikvah - House of Hope. He and other orphans from the home were at the memorial with us. Today, our Jewish community is able to care for him. Had it been the 1930's or 40's, his stroy could have been very different. From the memorial we drove to meet with families at risk served by the JDC. Each family has its individual story. Together they tell a collective tale about our work. All of these Jewish families are served through the JDC and the local family service agency. If it wasn't for us, they would receive no help whatsoever and they would fall right through the cracks of society. This is what we do. We take care of each other because if we don't, no one else will in Odessa and in countires around the world. We had the pleasure of speaking with Misha and his Mom, Victoria. Her husband died 4 years ago when she was 38, leaving her with 4 children. She works in the Chesed, the Jewish senior program, taking care of the elderly. Our assistance allows her to live in dignity by putting food on her table and sending her children to Jewish school. Her oldest daughter is even traveling to Israel on a MASA (JAFI Israel Experience) program. Below is Misha, Vicotoria and other children helped in this program.

From here we met with another group of youth. These were young people who had just returned from a Ukranian Birthright Israel trip. Most of these young people grew up without any connection to their Jewish roots. Only 1 out of 10 eligible students in Ukraine and Russia are able to go on these trips because of funding limitations. The young man who left the greatest impression on me shared his story with me in eloquent English. He was from a town called Nikoliev, about 2 hours outside of Odessa. He had never left this region before his trip to Israel. His grandfather on his father's side was Jewish and his mother was not Jewish. His parents divorced when he was 6. He is an only child. He did not know that by the standards of the Nuremberg Laws he would even be considered Jewish. These standards were created in Nazi Germany. It simply stated that anyone who had one Jewish grandparent is considered Jewish and could be taken to the concetration camps and exterminated. The Jewish grandparent standard is still sed for immigration to Israel today. If one grandparent was Jewish, one can make alliyah. He learned of his family's background when at age 12 his father came to him and told him he was moving to Israel and leaving him behind with his Mother. He was resentful of his father and resentful of being Jewish. He faced anti-semitism and he hated who he was. And yet, he heard about the Birthright trips and decided at age 23 it was time to explore his heritage. From this trip he has found pride in his Jewish roots and wants to live in Israel. His complicated situation is that he would be leaving his Mom behind. This individual story is part of our collective too. Below are picture of the Birthright students; all with similar stories to share.

Our last stop of the day was at a Jewish Agency for Israel sponsered overnight 10 day summer camp for teens. The spirit there was as great as any Jewish overnight camp in the USA. Teens came from all over Ukraine to attend the camp. Some came from as far away as a 14 hour train ride. For these summer campers, for all of them, this is their first entree into their Jewish identity. They learn about Israel and their Jewish roots. Only 1 out of every 2 eligible teens is able to come because of limited funding. The teens were kind, smart and so very impressive. We are giving them Jewish life, an identity and hope for the future. For some, their future will take them to Israel. Others will choose to stay in Ukraine. Either way, their Jewish roots will open doors for their future. Below are pictures from our camp visit.