My name is Elena and I am a volunteer in the "Maagal" community.

For 26 years, I’ve been living with rheumatoid arthritis, to the point where I have a second-degree disability. I have a wonderful husband, two grown sons, and a small elderly dog - all of whom love and often demand attention. And then there’s work and the endless routine so familiar to every woman.

But no, this story isn’t about that. It’s about how, a few years ago, I received a call inviting me to join the "Sipur Volunteers" project. This was my first experience with such work, but I knew that if someone needed my help, I was ready to set aside my pain, work, and household chores, get behind the wheel, and drive to people who didn’t know me but were eagerly waiting for me. I’ll admit, I was a little scared, as I wasn’t sure how I would be received, what I could offer these people beyond a small gift, and what words I could find. But when the door opened, I was greeted with a smile and kind eyes, and our simple greeting turned into a warm conversation over tea and pastries. You begin to forget all your worries, simply dissolving in the warmth emanating from your companion. And this wasn’t just in one house I visited, but in many homes where I now know for sure - I am always welcome.

Now I can say for certain what my story is about. It’s about how, in this crazy pace of life, sometimes you just need to stop and smile at an elderly, lonely person, wish them "Yom Tov," and in return, you will receive far more attention and care than you could ever imagine. That’s the life-giving force everyone needs - just faith, hope, love.

Golubchikova Tatyana joined the volunteer movement thanks to her daughter. She organizes an action called "Kind Warmth", in which volunteers knit socks for those in need. Socks are knitted by all members of the family - Tatyana, her daughter and mother. Also, this action is carried out in the lyceum, where Tatyana works as a teacher. In addition, at the lyceum, Tatyana hosts master classes for students who draw postcards for the elderly for Hanukkah, March 8, and other holidays. She also enjoys participating in the "Cooking Together" online event. Tatyana says that volunteering is the need of her soul, she wants to leave a trace of kindness in this world. Volunteering makes her soul richer, and she feels the satisfaction of being able to help people in need.

Maria Skibitskaya is a physician, a graduate of the Kuban State Medical University (general medicine specialization). She was born in Krasnodar, in a family of doctors. A patriot of her city. An athlete with a sports rating in synchronized swimming. Works as a physician, providing a qualified medical assistance. Long lines of patients prove this – many people want to get fast and efficient help, which Maria provides.

Maria is actively involved into the social life of her city, giving lectures and writing articles for scientific and popular magazines and participates in cardiological, surgical and therapeutic conferences. Involved into scientific work.

She is also an activist of the Krasnodar Jewish community. Maria is an author of the project The School of Health, where she gives lectures on health and a healthy way of life. She generously shares her knowledge with other people and carries out preventive work. She is full of enthusiasm and creative plans. Her first volunteering action took place in the framework of Metsuda, where she helped elderly people.

Being a graduate of the Metsuda, Maria has created her own volunteering project The School of Health, where she gives various workshops dedicated to a healthy way of life.

Maria considers, that every person must help those, who need help, when she has an opportunity to do that. “Volunteering for me is the joy of others, gratitude, positive emotions. These things lack so often nowadays!”

My name is Natalya, in ordinary life I am a director and actress of the Academic Theater of Russian Drama in Tashkent. When I work in the programs of the Jewish Revival project, I feel like a magician, a creator. For more than 4 years I have been participating in the "Birthday Day" project, where I sing for grandparents. I am incredibly pleased to see their faces decorated with charming smiles! In the summer of 2017, I began staging a play based on the story by I. Bashevis-Singer "Three Wishes" with the participation of children and adolescents. In this performance, I again was able to show all my creative abilities. I think we did really well! In November 2017, I staged the Hanukkah performance "How Hershele Hanukkah Saved from Demons" with the participation of teenagers from the "Jewish Revival" project. Since September 2019, I have been participating in the volunteer project "Holiday Light in Every Home" and I am happy to perform both in Tashkent and Samarkand. Such volunteer work gives me real pleasure, because I can do what I like, give good spontaneously and from the bottom of my heart!

I am a volunteer, I like to write prose, act on stage or put on small plays.

My volunteer career started with a Shabbat at home of an elderly single woman, who has hearing problems. I also worked with children with disabilities.

I do volunteering because I like to make people happier, make them smile, give them attention and let them understand their importance. I also like to feel that people need me while helping them.

At the moment I am working on creating a project for BBYO and I have already two ready-made projects.

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!

Hello, my name is Vyacheslav Tomlin, and I have been a regular participant in the JR project since childhood. I am now 21 years old, and over the course of my participation in the project, I have experienced many unforgettable moments. Since the age of 10, I have actively taken part in various events, workshops, seminars, and summer camps, gaining a wealth of skills and impressions.

I have been a participant in programs, and now I actively assist in conducting activities for children of primary and middle school age. I always take the initiative and gladly respond to everything happening in our center. With the kids, we play active and intellectual games, bake goodies for Hesed, and in the summer, I help in the day camp as a counselor.

The center has become not just a place but a second home for me. It is always cozy and warm here, and I willingly participate in all events and initiatives in our friendly community.

Since childhood, Eva has been often visiting the Jewish community and has seen good voluntary actions and projects many times. She is well aware that volunteering plays an important role in Judaism. Now Eva is studying to be a Chinese translator and is a resident of Moishe House in Khabarovsk. She tries to include volunteering in her schedule and loves creative workshops where gifts are made for the elderly. In addition, within the framework of Moishe House, she often organizes volunteer events and actively helps the volunteer center.

Hello! My name is Yaroslava, I am 16 years old and I study in the 10th form of the Theoretical Lyceum "Alexander Pushkin". I enjoy playing the piano, playing sports and writing articles, as I dream of becoming a journalist. A year ago I became interested in volunteering, the war that started in a neighboring country played a big role in this. From February to July 2022, my mother and I actively helped refugees. We prepared a large amount of food and delivered it to those in need. Then I became interested in whether we have volunteer organizations in Moldova and remembered the RVC, which my friend told me about. First, I got into the "School of Volunteers", where I learned from the coordinators what the Republican Volunteer Center is. I liked it right away. I realized that here I can develop myself, learn and gain new skills, communicate and help people, which is what I always wanted. I have been at the RVC for a year now, during which time I managed to try myself in various projects. Most of all I like "Call Center", as well as projects related to children. One of the projects that I lead is "Talking English", where I teach children English in an interactive way. During my activity there were many interesting cases, but most of all I remember the case from the "Clean Chisinau" project. Then we were cleaning the "Eight" park and collected about 15 bags of garbage. We had a real quest to get garbage out of the lake. We understood that it would not be possible to clean everything. Then a man who had nothing to do with volunteering came to help us. He literally climbed into the lake and helped us pull out a large number of bottles and other debris. After the action, we were glad that we managed to clean up the park a little and make it more pleasant. Being engaged in volunteer activities, I feel useful, I feel that people need my help and I believe that volunteering is my calling!

Hello, my name is Olga Beller, and I have been a volunteer at the Republican Volunteer Center since March 2024. My journey into volunteering lasted 1.5 years, during which, after moving to Moldova in July 2022, I tried to adapt to the new country and put my experience in organizing events for people of all ages to good use. The Volunteer Center has become a place for me where my skills and experience are gratefully accepted, and where like-minded people await, for whom helping those in need is more than just words.

In March 2024, I became part of the friendly RVC team, and my duties included working in the Call Center as well as delivering food packages. A great help in fulfilling my volunteer duties was obtaining a Moldovan driver's license, which allowed my husband Vladimir Vasilenko and me to actively participate in Good Deeds Day, delivering "Healthy Breakfast" food packages to our beneficiaries.

Congratulating people on Pesach from April 22 to 29 also brought me many positive emotions in return. I enjoy working in the Call Center: I love communicating with people, informing them about various events, congratulating them on holidays, and providing necessary information support. I am happy that I once made the right decision to become part of the large RVC team!

Hello! My name is Gulmira, and I am a volunteer for the "Jewish Renaissance" project. Why did I become a volunteer? Perhaps because I love people and want to share a part of my warmth with them. I came to volunteering following the call of my heart, and for three years now, I have been bringing joy to the beneficiaries of our center.

By profession, I am an artist. I graduated from the Higher School of Folk Dance and Ballet in Tashkent and have 16 years of experience working as a soloist and stage master at the State Musical Comedy Theater. In addition, I am involved in teaching - I teach folk and modern dance to students of the children's studio at the operetta theater.

As part of my volunteer activities, my students and I have participated in festive events organized by the Jewish community of Tashkent. We have also performed at concerts organized by the Joint in Uzbekistan: "Birthday" and "The World Through the Eyes of Children." I like to think that each performance helps make the lives of other people more joyful and interesting! I am confident that many more interesting years of volunteering await me in the future!

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.