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.

I am a journalist. Listening is an important part of my profession. Listening is also necessary in volunteering, and I started to be a volunteer by making calls to lonely elderly people, and congratulating them on their birthday. Despite the fact that the congratulation was informally and quickly said, I invented every wish individually for everyone. I felt on the other end of the line that wards were happy and smiled a lot during the phone call. And they had a desire to tell a little bit more about themselves.

Then there was created by chance “There is Time” project of the League of Volunteers by EJCC Menorah. This is the project, in which I was completely in. And it seems to me, that I brought it to the highest point. I had various interesting tasks: to come up with what dishes to cook from the Jewish cuisine, arrange everything, find interested residents, held a delicious master class. Is this altruism? Maybe it is. Sharing energy and knowledge is altruistic for sure!

Julia Tsytkina is an economist in the municipal budget health care institution.

How did you get into the League of Volunteers? I went to Menorah for yoga and painting, and there I found out about the volunteer project. I delivered presents to old people and children, washed the windows at homes of elderly people, and helped to organize painting classes with the elderly.

Now I’m involved in Shabbat project at home of elderly people. We light candles on Fridays, read prayers and hold Shabbat together.

I have the skills, knowledge and desire to help.