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In 1992 the Jewish life in Odessa began to revive. The main synagogue was given back to the Jewish community. I go to the synagogue on Yevreyskaya Street. The synagogue on Yevreyskaya Street has been restored. It’s a beautiful building. It’s mainly attended by older people that come to pray on weekdays. There are more visitors on Friday and Saturday, but on holidays it has even more visitors.
There were Jewish schools open and children from Jewish schools also come to the synagogue. My wife Octiabrina’s grandson also goes to the Jewish school Or Sameach 22. They study prayers and Ivrit at school. On holidays they take part in concerts in the theater. We went to a concert. We also receive the Jewish newspapers Or Sameach and Shomrei Shabos in Russian and watch Jewish programs on TV.
The Jewish charity center Gmilus Hesed provides assistance to older Jews. A volunteer from this center visits Octiabrina and me regularly. We appreciate her help very much. She does our laundry, cleaning, the shopping and buys medications for us. In summer she takes my wife out and washes her in the bathroom.
My wife has two daughters, but she doesn’t communicate with her older daughter and her younger daughter has had two surgeries. She has cancer. Therefore, we badly need help that this volunteer provides. She also brings food packages provided by Hesed. What I mean is that if it were not for the Jewish community and Gmilus Hesed we would not have been able to live to this old age. We are very grateful for their care and concern for us.
There were Jewish schools open and children from Jewish schools also come to the synagogue. My wife Octiabrina’s grandson also goes to the Jewish school Or Sameach 22. They study prayers and Ivrit at school. On holidays they take part in concerts in the theater. We went to a concert. We also receive the Jewish newspapers Or Sameach and Shomrei Shabos in Russian and watch Jewish programs on TV.
The Jewish charity center Gmilus Hesed provides assistance to older Jews. A volunteer from this center visits Octiabrina and me regularly. We appreciate her help very much. She does our laundry, cleaning, the shopping and buys medications for us. In summer she takes my wife out and washes her in the bathroom.
My wife has two daughters, but she doesn’t communicate with her older daughter and her younger daughter has had two surgeries. She has cancer. Therefore, we badly need help that this volunteer provides. She also brings food packages provided by Hesed. What I mean is that if it were not for the Jewish community and Gmilus Hesed we would not have been able to live to this old age. We are very grateful for their care and concern for us.
Location
Ukraine
Interview
Isaac Klinger