Hi all! My name is Victoria, I am 28 years old. For more than 8 years I have been a volunteer in the Republican Volunteer Center. There was a time when I came here from time to time, but in 2019 I returned to volunteering in full force by participating in the Good Deeds Day. I believe that such large-scale events are a very convenient and suitable opportunity for those who want to try their hand at volunteering. I do volunteer work in my free time from my full-time job and other hobbies. I love creativity and I coordinate 2 wonderful projects: "IT Grandmother", where my friends, colleagues, and I teach older people computer skills, and "Our hands can do everything" - art workshops where everyone can try new techniques or remember what he once knew. Master classes are held online for both volunteers and elderly clients of Hesed. For me, volunteering is not only mutual assistance, but also an opportunity for self-development and communication. Everyone can share their knowledge and skills, even if they are not an expert or a master. Every contribution is important, no matter how small it is. I believe that such an atmosphere reigns in the Republican Volunteer Center, and this is one of the reasons why we all love this organization so much. The second reason is the connection with Jewish traditions, culture and community. This is exactly the place that allows me to be closer to my roots! Grow and help make this world a better place!

My volunteering journey began in September 2018 when I joined the community. To be honest, back then, I had no idea what volunteering was all about. I was introduced to it by Julia Volstein. I consider her my spiritual mentor because she was the one who showed what volunteers do and how to interact with different categories of people we provide help to. With Julia's help, the volunteer creative group "Rikuddim" was created, which is active to this day.

We established it quite quickly. Initially, we participated in various events, provided assistance to the community, and performed in charity concerts. The most important thing is my "volunteers," as I like to call them. They are my team, which, over the five years of our existence, has helped others many times without remaining indifferent to the problems of others. When we started, there were only six of us, but as we continued, more community members became interested in our activities. Today, the volunteer creative group consists of 15 members, as well as children of community members. I love helping others, seeing their smiles, especially when it comes to children or elderly people who just need some companionship. I love to see the little happiness in their eyes after the events, which then fills you from within, making you a completely different person.

I believe that what we gain from volunteering goes beyond material possessions. Participation in events helps us develop our qualities: responsibility, conflict resolution, communication skills, overcoming shyness, and more. Volunteering is an excellent way to make new friends.

As they say, "a person needs a person." In reality, offering assistance is not that difficult. I think many people have, at some point, selflessly helped others without expecting any reward. Charity is a very important part of our world. A person gives a piece of their warmth, their time, their emotions but gains much more in return.

My name is Rasima and I was introduced to the Jewish Revival project by bringing my two year old son to the Mazal Tov program. Seeing the colossal work of the leader and teachers of the project, I wanted to contribute. At first, I helped draw posters for events, rehearsed sketches with children, organized holidays and matinees for children with their parents. Later, I started writing quest scripts and conducting them for children. Most of all I like to see the happy faces of children and their parents. The "Jewish Revival" project provides a unique opportunity for self-realization, helping people, implementing their ideas and learning new things. My son has been participating in the Mazal Tov program for five years already, and for me the main indicator of the benefits of these classes is that during all this time my child has never refused them. You can't fool a child's heart.

Savonichev Alexander, 29 years old. I am a builder. I have got to volunteer center quite recently, just 3-4 months ago (I was brought by one good friend of mine) and I have already managed to participate in a huge number of different actions: departures outside of the town, the work of madrikh with the children, both cleaning of cemeteries, and a campaign of the visits to the veterans, and the participation in big city campaigns. But the Moked Lokashish project, with which we help elderly people to do small repair works, is the closest to me. As for me, it is actual to be the volunteer today because every time, I feel as I bring benefit to the society and indirectly I do many people a little happier.

Hello, my name is Maria Barmina.

My desire to develop myself and interact more with people led me to volunteering, and the first step was participating in the "Bring a Smile" project, where I was invited by a friend. That's when I got acquainted with the Republican Volunteer Center and realized that it was the place where I could express myself and learn something new. The first experience turned out to be successful, so I decided to continue my volunteer activities.

In six months of volunteering, I have had the opportunity to participate in various projects. Within the "Call Center" project, we called elderly clients, communicated with them, and found out what assistance they needed. I also worked with children in a kindergarten and continued active participation in the "Bring a Smile" project. Each project requires deep immersion and encourages the discovery of new talents.

In addition to participating in projects, I attended a seminar for volunteers at the Volunteer School Hub, where we were taught how to launch and implement new projects. I am grateful to the center for giving me the opportunity to discover new facets of my personality by participating in various volunteer initiatives. For me, RVC has become a home where I am awaited by close friends and like-minded people. Together, we are capable of a lot, capable of changing people's lives for the better, and we do it every day! Now I can proudly say "I am a volunteer" and invite everyone to become part of our friendly team!

Hello everyone! My name is Tatiana Komova, I am 24 years old, and I have been a volunteer for over 3 years. My journey into volunteering began with the “Caring Connection” project, where I participated in distributing smartphones. After interacting with many elderly people, I realized how lonely many of them are, and I wanted to make their lives better.

I started conducting online events and providing technical support for the elderly. Besides technical skills, I also have creative inclinations, so I happily joined the “Handy Hands” and “Craftswomen” projects. I also take part in large-scale events like “Day of Good Deeds.” I believe such events are a great opportunity for those who want to try their hand at volunteering.

For me, volunteering is not only a way to help others but also a means to grow and develop. Here, you will find everything needed for communication and self-improvement. You can make a meaningful contribution even if you’re not a master or an expert, and your opinion and input are always valued. I invite everyone to join our large and friendly volunteer family to grow together and make our world a better place!

Hello, my name is Nikolai Lovin. I am a cadet at the Military Academy of the Republic of Moldova. Summer vacation has given me free time, and I decided that I want to use it wisely. My goal is to leave a mark in this world that I could be proud of, so I decided to try myself in volunteering. I chose to volunteer at the Republican Volunteer Center RVC. Coming here, I learned that RVC is located in the building of the Jewish Community Center KEDEM, and I understood that this is what I need. The historical connection with my great-grandfather, who was a Jew from Odessa, reinforced my confidence in this choice. This decision promised me the opportunity to get closer to Jewish values and continue their development within myself. My first steps in volunteering turned out to be very interesting and important. By participating in various events, I gradually integrated into the team. The triathlon championship particularly stood out to me, where I got to see how events are organized from the inside, and the "Origins of Mercy" seminar, which expanded my horizons and provided valuable skills in working with the elderly. The project with children at the "Sévivon" kindergarten impressed me especially. It was an opportunity to immerse myself in Jewish culture and bond with the children. Volunteering not only gave me new knowledge and skills, it changed me. I realized that doing good is not only important but also truly simple. Every time I participate in projects, I find meaning and joy in this time, improving the world around me and bringing smiles and happiness to people.

Bespyatova Sofia Meerovna - our most experienced and valuable volunteer! She is a retired citizen and loves to read, knit and study the history and traditions of Jewish culture. Her desire to help people led her to our volunteer center, where she has been helping the community for over 20 years. Her first project was Purim Postman. Sofia wishes that all volunteers would always help those in need with an open heart and soul!

I was born in town Penza, after school graduation I moved to St. Petersburg and entered there St. Petersburg State University of culture and arts to the speciality of cultural studies with the specialization in Geography. I studied the history and culture of different countries and peoples. During my studies I was working in different cafes and in guest service. After the graduation, without any hesitation, I finished the courses of Guide around the Europe, which gave me the opportunity to find a job in tourism, where I would be able to travel and always to learn something new. But in 2012, because of the personal problems I needed a change of the situation and, as the topic of my licence thesis was the culture of Latin America countries, I decided to go to Mexico as a volunteer. I took part in several social projects, and the experience that I’ve gained there, helped me to look at many things in a new way. Our most valuable resource is time and it’s very important for me to spend it with the maximum benefit, and to volunteer, making something good, useful, desired completely donated and then you, actually, get much more pleasure. Thanks to this trip, after my return, I decided not to be restricted only by the foreign volunteering and I am happy to participate in any local projects. I believe that the so-called «work for free» makes us very rich, it teaches us to be tolerant, kind, positive, energetic, and self-confident. In my opinion, this is an invaluable experience and an opportunity to be developed spiritually, morally, creatively, etc.

Tatyana came to Hesed in 2010. I participate in volunteering with my son Kirill in his project called “Zikaron”. I take an active part in cleaning up the Jewish cemetery and putting in order abandoned graves. I am always happy to help teenagers and youth clubs. I help them to bring their children to volunteer actions and back as a social taxi. In addition, I assist in organization of holidays. Our family always brings food products which are given to older people.

Adults involved in volunteering is a regular work. But it's much rarer to see children and teenagers helping others. And that's a shame. From my own experience, I can say that when a children participate in good deeds, they bring even more joy and warmth into the homes they visit.

I have been a volunteer in the Maagal Volunteer Community of the Joint Distribution Committee for nearly four years now. 

I have a volunteer partner - my eleven-year-old daughter, Diana. She took the initiative to join the project on her own. Diana knew what I was doing and always asked how it went, what was interesting. At some point, she suggested joining me. Now, every time I have a task, she asks, "Are you going? Can I come with you?" And almost every time, she’s part of the action. The freedom to choose is important. Diana is not just my partner, she’s also my comforter.

I often have a lot of emotions. For example, one time we went to make crafts with children with Down syndrome. Diana was so enthusiastically interacting with them. When we left, she said, "Mom, thank you for this meeting. These kids are just like us. If they ever need help, I’ll be there for them." That moved me to tears.

My daughter understands my sensitivity and always comforts me. We return home feeling inspired, knowing that we’ve lived at least one day to its fullest. We see doing good as a necessity. Diana never asks why or what for—we simply enjoy it. And people always greet us with enthusiasm.