Klara Perahya presenting an award to Shapat Avyente

In this photo my wife, Klara Perahya is presenting the President of the Neve Shalom Foundation, Shapat Avyente, with an award. The person behind Klara is the then President of the Matan Baseter charity institution, David Sevi. David Sevi is at the same time our community's master Hazzan. The photo was taken in Istanbul in 2001. Klara worked in the Turkish Jewish Community's charity organizations for very long years as a volunteer. Klara and Ester Tani (of blessed memory) started the ?Women's Emergency Help Committee.? This committee later on joined the Matan Baseter and was therefore able to help to a greater extent. The Neve Shalom Synagogue Foundation Charity Department was able to restore the old Jewish elementary school ?Ikinci Karma Ilkokulu" on Galata Dibek Street, which had become a dilapidated building, with the help of its donors in 1991. The restored building was put to the use of the homeless and the needy and became a home for them. The building was called Barinyurt, shelter home. Klara took part in every step of this movement and still works actively for this home. In 2001, on the traditional ?Matan Baseter Day" the President of the Neve Shalom Synagogue Foundation was honored with an award on the occasion of his ending his term of service. During the ceremony, Klara had the honor of presenting the President with his award in the name of Matan Baseter.