Beiteinu-Training Seminar

2 days after my arrival in Ukraine I packed my bags again and left to Krim/Crimea. We went to Tarhankut, a western part of the peninsular. This area is very different from the rest, here are a few pictures, enjoy :)

Rosh Hashanah @ Beiteinu

Beiteinu celebrated Rosh Hashana with their clients on September 27, 2009.  A lot of families came to celebrate, learn more about the holiday, and participate in workshops. To make the celebration more fun there was a cake contest - clients baked cakes with attributes of the holiday. All the entries were extremely yummy and I had a lot of fun judging them! Towards the end of the celebration the center gave out sweets for the holiday. In a matter of minutes most of the tables were wiped clean, without an apple in sight. A lot of the families, clients of the center, were affected by the economic crisis; they packed the sweets in their plastic bags and took them home. Although it may seem odd to some but this is the reality here. A lot of the prices on food in Ukraine are the same as in the US but their salaries are significantly lower.

Babiy Yar Memorial

Today I planned to attend the Babiy Yar memorial in Kiev. This year marks 68 years since the horrific events in 1941. German troops occupied Kiev on September 19, 1941 and on September 29th they started to shoot civilians in Babiy Yar. A total of 33, 771 people were killed in TWO days.

Hillel or as they say here, Гилель :)

I don't think I need to give an explanation of this, but just in case the link is attached :)

My task in this center is English as well. I will be leading a program called American Coffee, to help with conversational English. This program was started by previous JSC volunteers.

Beiteinu-Our Home

Beiteinu is another place I will be working in. It reminds me of a JCC because it takes care of the whole family. Many families come for financial help (even something little as a pair of shoes), activities for children, learn about Jewish holidays, and receive assistance for families with mental health illnesses.

I will probably be leading English classes for kids, and the staff also expressed an interest. I have yet to meet the teens of the center, looking forward to that so I can plan some activities :)

Hesed

Hesed is one of the centers I will be working in. The center focuses on helping the elderly Jewish community in Kiev and the surrounding area. These centers exist in other parts of Urkaine as well. So far I have not done much work but have been learning about the center and its programs. Below is a list of some of the programs (I will add more with time):
1. Medical program - provides medical rehabilitation equipment, help for the visually and hearing impaired, distribute medicine, and on site medical help.