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.

Having the MD degree in Medicine, she is a radiologist, Fruma Zalimanovna was born in 1929. Despite her not young age, she is full of energy and enthusiasm, which are so necessary in volunteering. Our heroine started her social work in 1946. Fruma Zalimanovna is the Assistant of the Chairman of the Medical Council of the University and a part-time mentor for the student volunteer movement «Milky Way». To the Volunteer Center of the synagogue she was invited in July 2013 as a consultant for the Organization of the Jewish Museum, then she became a principal consultant. Fruma Zalimanovna says that she is engaged in volunteering solely by ”The Call of the Soul”. She is totally sure that it is especially important today, because our society has lost its moral values. Fruma Zalimanovna also manages to write the books in history and in medicine.

Being the worker of the museum, Makerova Olga got known about the possibility to take part in the creation of the first Jewish museum in Voronezh “History of Jewish Community”. Olga was very glad to collaborate with the community, because she considers that the museum is a historical memory in the exhibits for many years. Today, Olga carries out an active work in the collection of the documents, photographs and the objects of the Jewish population life inside of the city and outside of it. When the items are found, she designs the Museum window-cases and creates the exhibition. The activity of the museum worker demands the meetings with the people, trips after the exhibits, their delivery to the place, the study of the historical literature, investigation of the other documents, etc. All this work is included in Olga’s research, collecting and documenting procedures. Our heroine assured that she makes everything with the great enthusiasm and that is why she considers her activity as a volunteering one. Especially, it is very pleasant for her to know that the young people actively participate in the process of collecting the information for the museum and the book “The History of the Jews in Voronezh Region ”

Olga has graduated Voronezh State University, the faculty of Journalism. She began to work according to her profession in the multiproduction and urban newspapers in the city of Togliatti. And there, at the beginning of 90s, she started to collaborate with one of the first Jewish newspapers in Russia- Samarian “Tarbut Laam”. She published her articles in Israilian Russian speaking press, and her articles were about the problems of second alia. Today, Olga is an observer of RIA «Voronezh» and she highlights the problem of inter-ethnic and inter-faith accord in the region. All this time Olga has collaborated, and during the recent years, she is the editor of the newspaper of the Jewish community «Beseder». Her job she finds very interesting because each new issue of the newspaper — is the communication with outstanding people of the community, knowledge acquisition and its transfer to the members of the community through this newspaper. But the most important thing for Olga is that the young people and even children are involved in the newspaper issuing. She is very glad that can benefit to the community, realizing this informational project.

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.

The familiarity with Judaism and Jewish life, I began with my aunts, who studied at a Jewish Orthodox school, approximately at 12 years. They led me into the synagogue and helped to settle. Then I began to attend the synagogue more often. It was the time when I kept Shabbat, Koshrut, and Tfilin. I am interested in the volunteering. Because the youth must know about its roots, understand who they are and be proud of them. But when you are young, it is difficult to understand this, and especially by yourself. So, I try, as much as possible, to help the young people to learn their history, to help to understand that the Jews are one big family.

My name is Ella Efimovna Novomlinova. I was born in 1948. I am a former kindergarten teacher (music director). I am retired at the moment. I became a volunteer in 2010, when I came to Hasdei Yerushalaim. I have a group of ward people, whom I regularly ring up, make messages, congratulate on birthday and holidays. I am regularly on duty at the Hesed office, and when it is possible I respond to the requests of people and help them. Since music is my hobby, I help V.O Lanzman to conduct “Musical living room”. My daughter and grandson also take part in the life of Hesed, and I am very happy about it. I am grateful to the whole team of our community.

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.

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.

17 years old

Student

I am fond of photography.

I take part in many volunteer activities, but I never miss cleaning the cemetery. I think that we need to help people after they followed to the afterlife.

24 years old

Reception document service assistant.

Hobbies: I write poems, prose and I enjoy being photographed.

My volunteer career began when I was at school in 11th grade. My friend and I signed up for an action against extremism and drug trafficking. We walked around ​​the district and made photos of “advertisements” of drugs, smoking mixtures, and various inscriptions such as swastikas, which offend different nationalities. We sent all the information to a police officer.

Later, I was a volunteer in the search and rescue team «Liza Alert» and searched for missing people. I placed announcements about the search, notified the public about the results, and I was also the organizer of the «Memorial Day of the Perished Children» supported by «Lisa Alert».

I wanted to be a volunteer from a Jewish organization, and I learned about the existence of Hesed Ester and the fact that everyone could participate in cleaning the Jewish cemetery. This is very important for me as a Jew, as a member of the community, and it gives me great pleasure to do this activity. There is such a nice and useful action as cleaning the cemetery — thank you so much for it!

I am 42 years old and I am working as an engineer.

My hobbies are knitting, embroidering, making toys, sewing, creating various handmade crafts with children. I hold classes on knitting and embroidery with the middle aged and older people with pleasure (if it is necessary). My volunteer career started with creative activities for children and mothers.

My name is Svetlana Balashova. I am 37 years old.

I live in Samara. My hobbies are listening to music, reading books, visiting exhibitions, theaters. I have pets. I started to volunteer this year. How did I become a volunteer? It all started with cleaning up at the Jewish cemetery in June 2018. Why did I decide to go into volunteering? The decision came to me spontaneously, my soul wanted to do this. I take part in cleaning the Jewish cemetery, because I want to do it and it is very important for me.

Just six months ago, Julia became a mother, but this did not prevent her from being an active volunteer for the Jewish community.  Last year she took part in more than 30 volunteer activities, some of which she had organized herself.  This year, Julia graduated from the “Lehava” program «and her final project was a course of psychological support for the volunteers Hesed Abraham.  The lady is sure that the volunteering is not simply a hand of the help from the strong on the weak, but the ability to live a “full” life.

Anna is a coordinator of Lehava program, organizer of volunteering projects in Jewish community of St. Petersburg.  Anna is involved in volunteering more than 10 years and thinks that year by year an amount of initiatives offered by young people is increasing.

Anna believes that if we take this world as our home each of us wants to make it more beautiful, more comfortable and more kind.

Кuleshova Еugenia Iacovlevna. 28 years old. Advertisement Expert. How did she get to the volunteer center? In 2011 I have finished the leading seminar «Metsuda», the goal of which it was to create my own volunteer project. And since then, the volunteer activities have become an integral part of my life. Now, I can’t imagine my Sunday without Volunteer Center, without my project concerning the work with the teenagers. And even my 10 year old son is involved in a large number of promo events together with me. So, the opening of the Volunteer Center meant for me the only one thing -I’ll soon have a huge number of like-minded people who want to change this world for the better.

Why to be a volunteer? Because this is now the only possible (real and available to everyone) the way to change something around yourself. To make the world better, purer and kinder. Don’t sit and complain but to change, create, improve, and develop. Why is it actual today? For many reasons, actually. Of course because I have already said that only with your own power, desire and love you can change something. Since I mostly work with the teenagers, so, I can name several more specific reasons for them. This is a great way to find real friends. Not those who will be together with you only in social networks, but those who will be tested not only by a word but also by his deeds. This year, it was much talked about that we remember the veterans only on 9 May. So, our guys can proudly say that it isn’t so! I know that our teenagers visit the veterans not only on holidays, but also during the weekdays. It’s nice to be a part of something big and good, and the Volunteer Center is best suited for this.

Тkachenko Еlizaveta, 33 years old, manicure master. How did she get to the volunteer center? — Mother of two children, at difficult life circumstances, has asked for the help in the children’s program. Later, she decided to assist us in the organization of the holidays for children. Now, she also provides help and support to our moms in difficult life situations. Why to be a volunteer? Quotation: «I am helped, that is why I help too, and I can not live without it now».

Why is it actual today? Quotation: «if I have the possibility to help to somebody, I consider, that I must do it, the word «volunteer» I heard not long ago, but I am busy with it all my life».

Vadim Igorevich Isaev, 41 years old, doctor. Hobby — fishing.

Vadim Igorevich joined the community in June 2016. His first action was shoveling the snow and ice near the community. He also actively participated at the community events, congratulating the elderly members of the community. Vadim Igorevich took part in charitable volunteer actions at the infant home. At the moment, he is organizing and participating in the «Jewish Ural» project.

Vadim takes part in the volunteer movement, following his heart.

His motto: “Do good on Earth, do good for the benefit of others!”

Elizabeth Koshkina, 45 years old. Economist. She likes to travel in Russia.

Elizabeth was actively involved in the life of the Jewish community of the city after returning from Israel in 2011. She teaches Hebrew and introduces children to the traditions of Jews abroad. Here Elizabeth got acquainted with the Kesher project, through which the scrolls of the Torah were given to the Jewish community of Nizhny Tagil.

Participation in the volunteer movement allows Elizabeth to maintain a connection with Jewry in an assimilated society.

The last project, in which Elizabeth takes part, is called the Jewish Ural.

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».

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!”

Let me introduce myself! My name is Diana Dvortsova. I am a graduate student of Adyghe State University. I live in Krasnodar for the second year. I am an Oriental historian, specializing in the history of modern Turkey, in particular, studying the works of Orhan Pamuk, Turkish intellectual, writer, Nobel Prize winner in literature (2006). I am also interested in sociology and art history. I am the grant holder of the international project “Institution Centered Conflict Studies” (ICCS). I am exploring the factors of social integration of repatriates, who live in the republics of Adygea and Abkhazia.

Thanks to the work in the project I thought for the first time about the number of people around me, who need help. I joined the team of the “Southern Volunteer Center” in 2017, and am glad to be part of a large friendly family, because it is a great happiness to make a little better your life and the lives of other people.

David is Candidate of Technical Sciences, senior coach of the national Krasnodar draughts team, Honorable Worker of Science and Education, a specialist in the field of food industry and ecology. He was born in Krasnodar in a Jewish family. Due to communicating with his older brother and sisters, he expanded his horizons in many areas. He gained organizational skills from his father, helping in the development of the city draughts federation.

David has been actively helping the community since 1997. He has been helping to maintain order and cleanliness of the Jewish city cemetery for many years. He got used to sharing experiences, educating students, giving lectures to them. He shared his experience and knowledge in the community, doing community work, participating in community activities and life; he participates in the Health School project. David takes part in amateur art activities, seminars and volunteer work, helps leaders in organizing activities from the first day of the creation of public organizations.

So let’s get acquainted! My name is Alexander Kamyshev. I was born in Krasnodar in 1972. I am a scorpio. I have a degree in radio engineering, another in optoelectronic physics. I have also more additional professions. I have many diverse interests — from electronics and botany, to theology and esotericism. I like being helpful. I like to share my knowledge, skills and experience.

Nowadays society is looking for something new and interesting. All people are bored. Therefore, my knowledge and new information interest people. And I am interested in them. When I first felt it, I realized the importance of sharing information with others, because it gives energy and power to develop yourself more and more. We will not be alone, because we are sharing and people will be interested with us. Over time, we will be recognized as specialists in one or several areas. And people will ask you questions! I think, to give, to give, to give — this is the motto of the real Master! And this is the most wonderful feeling in the world!