There is such a rule in Purim – everyone should help not less than two needy, but if you combine efforts, you can help hundreds. Every year this is the basis of the initiative of the All-Ukrainian Charitable Foundation “To You” (ACF 2U) and the J-UP Network (an independent initiative of active young professionals) that unites sponsors and volunteers to bring Mishloah Manot to lonely impoverished members of the Jewish community.
This action called Mitzvah4Purim has become a traditional one already. Volunteers of the first events brought their friends with them. The number of people willing to return the joy of the holiday to the elderly is increasing year by year. Considering that, we, the organizers of this charitable action, want to thank our wonderful volunteers from the bottom of our hearts and on behalf of those who do enjoy their company and our delicious gifts.
Our initiative Mitzvah4Purim would not be possible without our partners. Our gratitude goes to: – Religious Community of Traditional Judaism “Lev Gadol” – Religious Community of Traditional Judaism “Masoret”; – Jewish Agency “Sohnut-Ukraine”.
On the 27th of February, 2019, a well-known Lithuanian politician, deputy of the Sejm, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee of the Lithuanian Sejm in foreign affairs, and head of inter-parliamentary group of the Sejm and Knesset Mr. Emanuelis Zingeris was in Kiev with a short visit. Taking this opportunity, the All-Ukrainian Charitable Fund “2U”, together with the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Ukraine, decided to invite Mr. Zingeris and organize a meeting and discussion dedicated to Lithuanian experience in preserving the Jewish heritage and memory of the Holocaust. Julia Goldenberg, the head and founder of the ACF “2U” mentioned in her opening speech that the long-term and invaluable experience of one of the EU countries can become a vivid example for Ukraine. Everyone who was present at the Ukrinform conference-hall shared her opinion: not only the heads of Jewish organizations of Ukraine came to the event but the people’s deputies who are not indifferent to the preservation of historical memory, the researchers of the history of the WWII, well-known human rights activists as well… Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Lithuania to Ukraine Marius Janukonis, presenting the guest, mentioned that “today we have a unique opportunity to communicate with one of the most well-known European politicians and a great friend of Ukraine.” This fact was confirmed by one of the meeting moderators Georgiy Logvinsky, People’s Deputy of Ukraine, Vice-President of the European People’s Party at the Council of Europe (the most numerous political group in the PACE), which member Mr. Zingeris is as well.
A special place at the hall was reserved for the Righteous Among the Nations, due to them many Jewish families could survived, and together with them Jewish identity, the Jewish language “Yiddish”, Jewish culture were preserved. All the participants applauded standing to these people. Reminding the events in Lithuania, where about 95 percent of the Jewish population was murdered during the WWII, Mr. Zingeris emphasized the importance of remembering the feat and heroism of the Righteous Gentiles and encouraged the Ukrainian community to adopt Lithuanian experience. “We struggle that with the names of the Righteous, which are a vivid example of the antifascists, the streets of the places where they were from would be named. It will save the memory of them for ages,” said the honored guest. Mrs. Goldberg informed him that the ACF “2U” had already sent to Kiev authorities a request to rename one of the streets in Kiev in honor of the Righteous. After Mr. Zingeris’s speech, many questions were heard from the audience. Guests were interested in his opinion on the modern life in Ukraine, today’s life of Lithuanian Jewish Community, problems with preservation of historic heritage. It seemed the meeting could continue for some more hours, but the guest was hurrying to his flight, however he promised to visit Kiev soon and meet the Community again. Video version of the meeting is below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zy815WIDGXU
Since the autumn of 2018 Massorti Community, All-Ukrainian Charitable Fund “To You” (ACF 2U) in the partnership with Non-Governmental Organization “Social Capital” has launched Klezmer Radio project with Mikhal Stamov. The main goal of the project is popularization of modern klezmer music, its re-integration into Ukrainian culture, positioning Ukraine as a native land of klezmer music, Yiddish literature and Hasidism, to form an image of Ukraine in the world as modern European country and developing of cultural bonds of Ukraine with the world through Jewish heritage. Radio show consists of three main parts:
Klezmer Story dedicates to the history of klezmer music, the stages of its evolution and traditional musical instruments;
Klezmer Star tells about famous klezmer artists and gives the chance to listen their greatest hits;
Klezmer Today is the news and new music from Ukraine and all over the World. Also the guests (musicians, critics, historians, other specialists) are invited for each block. It depends on their free time or being in Kyiv. Radio Klezmer broadcasts twice a month on one the waves of one of the famous FM-radio stations. It is planned to broadcast on other radio stations should funds permit.
We do believe that such radio broadcast is of a great importance for modern Europe and for European development of multicultural and multiethnic Ukraine in particular. In addition we are positively sure that klezmer music promotion will act in favor of anti-Semitism killing and will work for the sake of Jewish Ukrainian dialogue.
The Festival of lights is over. This festival took place in each Jewish home and touched every Jewish family. For the 7th year in a raw Charity Campaign «Hope4Hanukkah» involves those who are lonely, those who have nobody next to them to share the joy of Hanukkah. The number of cities where this Action takes place is increasing and new volunteers join year by year. Modest one-time initiative started by Victoria Godik, Co-Chair of the Committee of the Diplomatic Corps of the World Jewish Congress (then EUJS Vice-President and Head of UUJS), and Julia Goldenberg, Chairman of the Board of the All-Ukrainian Charitable Foundation “To You”, this year involved more than five hundred people in need. All 8 days of Hanukkah action participants were looking forward to the guests, some of them already have their own favorite volunteers, who visit them annually throughout the life of the project. One month prior to the project initiators were contacted by those who did want to visit elderly, to light Hanukkah candles with them, to remind them about the traditions of this Holiday, to listen to memories of those who would be visited and to find out what their life is about now. Those, who had no possibility to visit elderly but still had some time, were helping to pack holiday food sets and donated funds to purchase foodstuff and Hanukkah sets. Project initiators received more than 100 thankful calls from action participants after the visits. Simon Makhlin, who celebrated his 92-birthday during this Hanukkah called and stated: “When your volunteers entered my flat they brought very special bright light with them. This light stayed with me all days of the Holiday!”
Starting with the 1st candle (December 2) Facebook news feeds was full with volunteers’ stories. One had a feeling that he / she was able to visit each of the houses not only in Kyiv, but in Lvov and Khmelnitsky, Ternopil and Chernigiv, Cherkassy and Mirgorod Dear friends, we would like to thank each of you for bringing the fest to our clients and to all Jews of Ukraine! We address those who sacrified their time, part of heart and soul, and to those who irrespectively of all economic difficulties shared our expenses. Special words of gratitude go to Avis – Ukraine. We have no possibility to change the whole world but do have the possibility to introduce some light and warmth into somebody’s life. Thus in a year we will light miraculous Hanukkah candles all together once again!
The 6th of November is a special day for every Kievan. This day, 75 years ago, the city was liberated from fascists. Just this day employees of 2U Fund prepare the holiday food packages which are delivered to the Righteous homes by volunteers. The year of 2018 is not an exception. About fifty packages with the foodstuff brought joy to the apartments of people whose feat will remain forever. Unfortunately, many of them have the beggarly pension and they have to spend the most part of it on communal fees and life-saving medicines. There is almost nothing leaving for food. Our volunteers told us after the visits that clients were grateful for the gifts, though it seems such foodstuff as cereals, sugar, wheat, chicken meat should be on everyone’s table. Righteous were glad to receive the sweets like children and offered the guests tea with condensed milk, which they can’t afford. During the visits our clients not only got the gifts, but took the advantage and gave the applications on medicines to the fund. Some of the Righteous came to us personally. They believe there are people who need foodstuff to be delivered but if one is still strong enough he / she should go out and pick his / her gift. One of them, Vasiliy Nazarenko, 88-year old Righteous Gentile, even suggested taking the packages for other Righteous. We would like to thank our helpers. Special thankful words we address to “World Jewish Relief”. This event couldn’t be possible without its support.
On October 25, 2018 in the Column Hall of the Kiev Mayor’s office traditional annual reception of Righteous Gentiles, Righteous Gentiles of Ukraine and of Babi Yar – Mayor’s reception took place. The tribute was paid to the people, who risking their lives and the lives of their beloved ones, were rescuing Jews during the Second World War. The event was organized by Kiev City State Administration and ACF “To You” (2U) in partnership with the JCU and Kyiv City Jewish community (KCJC). The ceremony was attended by representatives of authorities, foreign embassies, local and international Jewish organizations, religious leaders Among guests there were Kiev City Mayor Vitaliy Klychko, British Ambassador Judith Gough, Permanent Deputy of German Ambassador Wolfgang Biendseil, Ambassador of Poland Yan Peklo, Israeli Consular Felix Gurvich, Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Moshe Reuven Asman, Jewish Council of Ukraine President Olexander Suslenskiy, ACF 2U Board Chair Julia Goldenberg, businessman and philanthropist Olexander Loifenfeld, KCJC Executive Director Anatoliy Shengait, representatives of the local and international NGOs. And of course Righteous Gentiles and their leader Sophia Yarovaya.
Classical music and warm wishes to Righteous accompanied the event.
ACF “To You” expresses its gratitude to all those who made this event possible: – Kiev City State Administration (KCSA); – Kiev City Jewish community; – WJR; – The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) & Kyiv Hesed; – Olexander Loifenfeld;
The merry festival of Purim is over, but the month of Adar, the month of joy, continues.
ACF “To You” (2U) and J-UP Network (independent initiative of active young professionals) united again for the second time for Purim, to bring this lovely holiday to homes of lonely and impoverish people / families in Kiev and Kiev oblast’, Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Myrgorod …
We are delighted that with the help of our wonderful volunteers and like-minded people, we were able to contribute to the increase of joy and to fulfill the commandments of Purim. Our “Mishloach manot” were sent different regions of Ukraine that gave the possibility to lonely and poor people to say the blessings given to us on Purim and have the traditional Haman’s ears on their table. But most importantly, they were not alone. They felt the unity of our people.
Gifts to the needy and mishloakh Manot to friends is not just a wonderful tradition. This is a symbol of correction of the past error – correction of disunity and selfishness, which led, in fact, to the rise of Aman. We have fulfilled with joy hearts and homes of those who sharply need care and friendly company. Our initiative Mitzvah4Purim would not be possible without our partners. Our gratitude goes to:
Myrgorod, Cherkassy, and Chernigov Jewish Community;
Center of Volunteers of Cherkassy Hesed Dorot; And of course our words of appreciation go to our wonderful volunteers; to all those who were not ignorant and created this miracle together with us.
“You’ve filled our home with joy! You did it! Thanks for thinking about us! Your delicious food would make us happy for a long time as we can’t afford anything like that,” Polina says.
“It is a real happiness that irrespectively of our difficult times there are so caring people. You deliver kindness and warmth to those who had no more hope to be cared. Thanks a million for managing these visits on Purim itself! Your volunteers visited us exactly on time and gave us the possibility to fulfill the commandment of the four blessings”, Igor says.
For the second year in a row, due to our partnership with the Charitable Organization WJR, London, we have the possibility provide foodstuff to the Righteous Gentiles regularly. (Righteous Gentiles are people who risked their lives and lives of their relatives, saving Jews during WW II on the occupied territories). On the eve of the New Year’s holidays, the Righteous of the World, Ukraine, Babiy Yar and the children of the Righteous, who were born during the occupation, received food sets for the festive table. Peace, prosperity, harmony and many years, our dear!
Jewish wisdom says: “A little light is enough to dispel the great darkness” For the 6th time, the J-UP Network (an independent initiative of active young professionals) and All-Ukrainian Charitable Fund “To You” are involved in this miracle and help the light to reach the homes of those who are in desperate need of miracle, warmth, and simple human attention.
Hanukkah is a celebration of the victory of light over darkness, a holiday of greatness of hope in the times of despair. Every year the organizers of the action strive to bring light and hope to the homes and the hearts. Hanukkah 5778 (2017) has not become an exception. This magic charity event Hope4Hanukkah in Ukraine gives the opportunity to bring light, warmth and care to those who need it! Particular attention should be paid to lonely elderly people who do not have family and friends, who thirsty for communication, warmth, and care to overcome their daily desperation and depression. This year, in the frames of Hope4Hanukkah in Ukraine Hanukkah Hanukkah candles lit hearts and homes in Kiev and the region, in Cherkassy, Chernigov, Poltava and Odessa regions and, of course, in Western Ukraine. A particle of warmth and miracle warmed the lives of almost 500 people.
The organizers of the action say that when they started this project 6 years ago, they did not even dream that the geography of the action would be so expanded, that the volunteers would light candles with lonely people all 8 days of Hanukkah. “A very real Hanukkah miracle happened! And I am happy that I have the opportunity to help in its implementation, along with my like-minded people. Believe me, we do not stop, we continue to develop. I am sure that the geography of our project and the number of people involved in it will increase year by year from project to project, “says Victoria Godick, founder of J-UP Network, co-initiator of the action. All 8 days of Hanukkah, wonderful volunteers lit Hanukkah candles in the homes of low-income single elderly people who needed attention, communication, care, light … family. Of course, volunteers came not with empty hands, but with gifts. Hanukiah, food, sweets, cards made by children …
“We can speak about our initiative hours on end. Any normal person understands the importance of such visits to lonely needy people, both morally and religiously, but only having visited one of them personally to see their eyes, their smiles, their often already trembling hands that stretch towards the candles, you realize what is really going on. Such visits change your attitude to life and make you think about many things. We invite everybody to join our initiative,” says another co-organizer of the action Julia Goldenberg, ACF “To You” founder and Board Chair.
However, the participants of this initiative, who are visited, speak for themselves. “I want to thank you once again! Thank you for remembering us. Thank you for bringing the light. I think that you understand what I mean. My husband and I did not want the guys who came to us to leave. Wonderful food products, terrific communication and incomparable warmth! It is really great, that there are such bright people!” said Polina N.
Tatiana G. conveyed a letter to the organizers of the action: “You bring light, joy, and good mood to our homes. You and your volunteers are wonderful people, very attentive and caring. I thank you all for your good deeds and I wish you much success in your noble and bright work, which is so needed by people! “ Irina L. was ready to burst into tears during the visit: “I am all alone. There is no one to take care of me. Your congratulations on the holidays, warmth and care are invaluable to me. You make me happy for a year now! Thank you!”
Organizers emphasize that this initiative Hope4Hanukkah would not be possible without partners, whom they want to thank: – Charitable Organization “ZHYVE DZHERELO” Regeneration Fund; – Rabbi Vyshedski’s Synagogue; – Ukrainian union of Jewish public organizations “United Jewish community of Ukraine” (UJCU); – Kyiv Religious Community of Traditional Judaism “Masoret”; – Projects: Stars Kedem и Stars.net; – Belaya Tserkov Jewish Community “Mittzvah”; – Cherkassy, Chernigov, and Mirgorod Jewish Community; – Jewish Religious Community of Balta (Odessa Region); – Lvov Volunteer Center of Charitable Fund “Hesed Arie”; – Advertising and printing center “SICh”
And of course our words of appreciation go to 162 wonderful volunteers aged from school children to pensioners from different cities of Ukraine, Switzerland, France, Israel, Canada, US, to all those who were not ignorant and created this miracle.
Let hope and light settle in each and every home for the whole year. And in a year we will light Hanukah candles again. Let’s create miracles together!
On October 17, 2017 in the Column Hall of the Kiev Mayor’s office traditional annual reception of Righteous Gentiles, Righteous Gentiles of Ukraine and of Babi Yar – Mayor’s reception took place. The tribute was paid to the people, who risking their lives and the lives of their beloved ones, were rescuing Jews during the Second World War. The event was organized by Kiev City State Administration, ACF “To You” (2U), the Jewish Council of Ukraine (JCU) and Kyiv City Jewish community (KCJC). The ceremony was attended by representatives of authorities, foreign embassies, local and international Jewish organizations. Among guests there were Kiev City Mayor Vitaliy Klychko, US Ambassador Mari Yovanovitch, Permanent Deputy of German Ambassador Wolfgang Biendseil, Ambassador of Poland Yan Peklo, Israeli Consular Gennadiy Polishchouk, Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Moshe Reuven Asman and Metropolitan Epiphany (UOC-KP), Jewish Council of Ukraine President and Vice-President Olexander Suslenskiy and Simon Belman, ACF 2U Board Chair Julia Goldenberg, businessman and philanthropist Olexander Loifenfeld, KCJC Executive Director Anatoliy Shengait, representatives of the local and international NGOs. And of course Righteous Gentiles and their leader Sophia Yarovaya.
The Mayor, diplomats and public activists lit candles to commemorate those who could not be saved, and for the Righteous, who did not live to this day, also candles for the health of all those present and for peace in Ukraine were lit.
Classical music and warm wishes to Righteous accompanied the event.
ACF “To You” expresses its gratitude to all those who made this event possible: – Kiev City State Administration (KCSA); – The Jewish Council of Ukraine (JCU); – Kiev City Jewish community; – WJR; – The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC); – Hesed “Bnei Azriel”; – Olexander Loifenfeld;
