Today we divided into small groups and together with Dnepro Hillel students we were fortunate enough to visit the elderly and children at risk from the Jewish community. Personally, this day was incredibly inspirational and educational, because I felt as though I had received the love and blessings from the elderly in another part of the world, along with enriched knowledge about their lives as Jews during the WWII and the former Soviet Union.
My first home visit was to an elderly woman whose name is, Rachil and she is 86 years old. She has no family. Her father died when she was 2 years old and her mother was left without a husband raising three children. When the Second World
War broke out, one of her brothers was sent to fight against the Germans. Unfortunately, he was killed during the war. As years passed Rachil had also lost her mother and her second brother. Rachil was married but sadly her husband passed away in 1990, leaving her completely alone. However, despite her challenging life, Rachil is one of the brightest, most enthusiastic, and loving individuals that I have met, I can truly say she touched my soul in a special way with her inspirational story. I walked away with the understanding that every cloud has a silver lining. Rachil was eager to tell our group about her story during the war. She used to work in a hospital in her hometown of Melitopol, until the Nazis invaded. It seemed as though she loved what she did, and her craft truly made her happy. Rachil had also explained to us that life after the war was very difficult, however, little by little after her move to Dnepropetrovsk her life was coming back together.
Since the foundation of the Dnepropetrovsk Hesed Welfare Center in 1994, Rachil became one of the first Hesed volunteers. Her passion for work and helping others had transitioned from her days of working in the hospital during WWII. Rachil’s participation in community life was repeatedly honored as a Distinguished Hesed Volunteer. I was intrigued that she was involved
with music, being one of the soloists of the Hesed volunteers’ choir. Coming from a musical background, I was particularly touched. Our group had asked her to sing for us and at first she felt a bit shy. Finally, the Hesed workers motivated her to sing a song called “Sunshine.” Rachil smiled gladly, and sang a beautiful tune. During her song, I got a bit emotional, because I knew that this elderly woman had absolutely no one and yet she was joyful and sang this beautiful song with a huge smile on her face. Rachil was singing from the bottom of her heart to us and referred to some of us as her “Sunshines.” Indeed, we had all brought a light into Rachil’s life.
Our group took a picture with Rachil and we showed it to her on one of the digital cameras. She looked as cheerful as can be, and I had promised her that we will send her that picture, so that she could look at it forever. When we were saying goodbye, Rachil had blessed us with future success, happiness and health. Her last words to us were, that she had never imagined that beautiful young ladies would visit her and show such commitment to this visit. I had truly felt rewarded, knowing that in some way, I had perhaps extended her life by a little bit. I was fortunate to receive vast knowledge and new appreciations for life form Rachil, while I could bring happiness, love and light into her life. Rachil will always be my Sunshine.
My first home visit was to an elderly woman whose name is, Rachil and she is 86 years old. She has no family. Her father died when she was 2 years old and her mother was left without a husband raising three children. When the Second World
War broke out, one of her brothers was sent to fight against the Germans. Unfortunately, he was killed during the war. As years passed Rachil had also lost her mother and her second brother. Rachil was married but sadly her husband passed away in 1990, leaving her completely alone. However, despite her challenging life, Rachil is one of the brightest, most enthusiastic, and loving individuals that I have met, I can truly say she touched my soul in a special way with her inspirational story. I walked away with the understanding that every cloud has a silver lining. Rachil was eager to tell our group about her story during the war. She used to work in a hospital in her hometown of Melitopol, until the Nazis invaded. It seemed as though she loved what she did, and her craft truly made her happy. Rachil had also explained to us that life after the war was very difficult, however, little by little after her move to Dnepropetrovsk her life was coming back together.Since the foundation of the Dnepropetrovsk Hesed Welfare Center in 1994, Rachil became one of the first Hesed volunteers. Her passion for work and helping others had transitioned from her days of working in the hospital during WWII. Rachil’s participation in community life was repeatedly honored as a Distinguished Hesed Volunteer. I was intrigued that she was involved
with music, being one of the soloists of the Hesed volunteers’ choir. Coming from a musical background, I was particularly touched. Our group had asked her to sing for us and at first she felt a bit shy. Finally, the Hesed workers motivated her to sing a song called “Sunshine.” Rachil smiled gladly, and sang a beautiful tune. During her song, I got a bit emotional, because I knew that this elderly woman had absolutely no one and yet she was joyful and sang this beautiful song with a huge smile on her face. Rachil was singing from the bottom of her heart to us and referred to some of us as her “Sunshines.” Indeed, we had all brought a light into Rachil’s life.Our group took a picture with Rachil and we showed it to her on one of the digital cameras. She looked as cheerful as can be, and I had promised her that we will send her that picture, so that she could look at it forever. When we were saying goodbye, Rachil had blessed us with future success, happiness and health. Her last words to us were, that she had never imagined that beautiful young ladies would visit her and show such commitment to this visit. I had truly felt rewarded, knowing that in some way, I had perhaps extended her life by a little bit. I was fortunate to receive vast knowledge and new appreciations for life form Rachil, while I could bring happiness, love and light into her life. Rachil will always be my Sunshine.
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