Sofia is a graduate of the Young Leadership Program Metsuda. Most of her life she has been an active member of the Jewish community of our city. Since she was 12 she participated in the summer camps of Sokhnut, its field schools, seminars and festivals. She taught her first own class at the age of 14.

“Now it’s my second wave of coming back to this new family. This time is more conscious, because I don’t only know that I can give something to the community, but that I want and I must do it. It’s not pathos at all, it’s really wonderful to have such a family. Just think about it, there is a Jewish community practically in every big city in the world. Which means, that if you are Jewish, you will never be alone and abandoned in a new city. I have a really big Jewish family, only in Krasnodar it consists of more than 30 people. When I am travelling, an ultimate point of my program is a synagogue or a Jewish community. Last time I had a very warm reception in the Ashkenazi synagogue in Baku.

Now I am actively exploring my family history and writing queries to Ukraine, because I want to have not only oral family stories, but real documents as well.

Take care of your community, work in it, nurture it to have something to transfer to the next generations».

I began to volunteer on July 10, 2017. Since then, I can not stop to do it. The project was called «For Art» then. Then, it was «Keshet.» On July 9, I came to help a presenter and remained here. I have a lot of activities in my life, but I am a civil engineer by occupation. I have a lot of hobbies, and as volunteer I am interested in painting with the «golden age» people. I don’t skip classes – I don’t usually give up if I have started something. Perhaps, I’m getting closer to my parents on subconscious level, because they live in Israel, and I’m getting closer to older people thanks to our clients, and I’m getting more involved in their problems, I’m becoming more tolerant. The most important thing is to understand the fact that the «golden» people had their own victories in painting. I understand this, because I was not able to hold the brush in my hands when I was a child, but then I took it in my hand and I was really fascinated by the process and results.

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.

My name is Alina. I am 21 years old. I am studying to be an economist. I’ve got acquainted with the Jewish community, starting with the Taglite. After this unforgettable trip, I started going to the youth club and there I learned about the volunteer center. I’ve been a volunteer in several directions for several years.

I feel the greatest pleasure from my volunteer activities with children. It is an amazing feeling when the little eyes of children start to shine, when you appear.

My name is Alexandra Viktorovna Barkova. I am 15 years old and I study at secondary school number 21 in the city of Bobruisk. In my free time, I enjoy music, needlework, reading and preparing for exams. I am also a member of the AJT teenage club in Bobruisk. I have been volunteering for 9 months now. When I first came to the club, I was immediately interested in the topic of volunteering. As soon as the opportunity arose, I began distributing food security kits for the Food Security project. I am very grateful that I have such an opportunity - the opportunity to please and take care of people. I want to wish all the volunteers patience and good mood so that they can bring good to people!

Hi all! My name is Vyacheslav Gandrabur, I am 18 years old and I study at the International Lyceum in Chisinau. I love sports, especially football, as well as computer technology and programming. I learned about the Republican Volunteer Center from friends and classmates who shared their positive and interesting experience with me. I decided to learn what it means to be a volunteer, thus discovering new skills and unforgettable experiences. My main project at the RVC is "How does it work?", which is aimed at educating children. I tell the youngsters about the history and principles of work of various objects around us. However, my volunteer work began with the "Do Good" campaign, the purpose of which was to create and conduct presentations about volunteering for schoolchildren and students. The emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic has seriously affected the activities of volunteers. The approach to planning and holding events and lessons has changed. That is why I led the project "How does it work?" for a long time in an online format, which, of course, had its pros and cons. Luckily, with new volunteers and the reduced risk of Covid-19, we now have the opportunity to conduct classes in person, which makes classes even more fun. In my opinion, the most beautiful thing in the volunteer movement is emotions.I am pleased not only with my own positive emotions from volunteering, but also with the emotions of those people to whom I help. I also like that volunteering gives you the opportunity to gain social experience and develop other unique skills that can greatly help in everyday life. Volunteering is awesome!

Hello, my name is Tatiana Semenovna Kotova. It can be said that my path to volunteering began in 2021 when I brought my grandson to the Jewish Community Center for the "Mazl Tov" program. It was then that I first learned about the "Jewish Renaissance" project, met the team, and the visitors.

I really liked the atmosphere and the people I communicated with. We formed a friendly team of parents and children, actively helping to set up the stage and prepare performances for our children. I gladly participated in plays and productions, helped make decorations and costumes for our children and parents.

Now I participate in various volunteer initiatives. Considering that I am retired, I can devote more time to volunteering and I do it with pleasure. For example, I conduct baking masterclasses for the participants of the "Women's Club," sharing my culinary experience. I enjoy sharing my knowledge, as I have accumulated enough over my lifetime.

The "Jewish Renaissance" project has become a second home for me, where I am awaited and where my experience and knowledge are needed. But, most importantly, volunteering helps me realize myself in new directions, gain new knowledge, and, of course, meet new people. Our center is a place where everyone will find activities to their liking and at the same time can become part of a unified volunteer movement.

Hi all! My name is Katerina, I am a doctor by day and a volunteer in my free time. Volunteers have always been involved in our community. In 2017, I learned that the Volunteer Center was opening, and I gladly joined it. In 2015, at the Ice Hockey World Championship, I saw volunteers in action and really wanted to be a part of their team. I signed up at a local volunteer center and became actively involved in event volunteering, worked at world and international sports competitions. Then I began to coordinate the work of volunteers at major events. Currently, I work in the community, run the AJT volunteer center and youth club, and am an employee of Hesed. Most of all I love the project "Challah to every home". It brings together a lot of people - from children to the elderly. We bake a lot of beautiful challahs, which is very family centered activity, as well as noisy and fun. Most importantly, together we are doing a good deed, because we are baking challahs for the elderly people of our community.

Hello, my name is Lilia Braga, and I am a volunteer with Hesed in Rybnitsa. My desire to help those in need and the realization that I can truly be useful to people led me to volunteering. Throughout my volunteer activities, I have participated in various volunteer initiatives and continue to lead an active volunteer life today.

I enjoy organizing Shabbat gatherings for our clients and assisting with the distribution of matzah and food packages. I have also been involved in projects such as "Visiting the Day Center" and "Peer to Peer." Currently, I have two clients whom I regularly call to check on their health, provide necessary assistance, and inform them about upcoming interesting events.

For me, volunteering is an opportunity to contribute to the betterment of our society. It brings new acquaintances and new knowledge, as well as a sea of positive emotions when you hear words of gratitude from your clients.

Ermakova Irina Aleksandrovna, 45 years old. She is a therapist of the highest category. She is a lot of years in the community. Irina with her husband and three remarkable daughters constantly participate in all communal projects and events. Irina, as the highly skilled doctor, constantly advises all members of the community who ask her for the help. Annually, in summer camps, she remains irreplaceable and the most favorite person both for the adults, and for the children. Irina, as the member of dancing collective, always participates in the concerts or statements devoted to various Jewish holidays. And three her daughters, very gifted and musical little girls, are the leading soloists in the musical and vocal ensembles. According to Irina’s words — profession of the doctor, is her personal attitude towards the people and her desire to help those who are nearby, — and it is also that driving mechanism of the fact that she is a volunteer of the Jewish communal center.

Hello, my name is Polyakova Nelly. Since childhood, I couldn't pass by others' suffering and always strove to help those in need. This drive led me to medicine. My professional career ended due to my age (I am 87 years old), but the desire to be useful to people remained.

Many community members came to me for consultations, and I was always ready to answer all their questions. So when the idea of creating a medical online project came up, I happily agreed! For over three years now, I have been a volunteer for the "Health Hour" project. As a professional neurologist, I provide consultations and educational work within the project.

I enjoy volunteering because, unlike professional work, it has no age restrictions. You can help others regardless of how old you are. At the same time, you continue to grow and develop, meet new people, and always receive words of gratitude, which support you better than the most modern medicines! Volunteering helps me lead an active life, and even at 87, feel active and in demand!

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.