This summer, a group of student volunteers criss-crossed Ukraine in an RV dubbed the Mitzvah Mobile:
"The joy of the people in every place we visited was indescribable," said one of the young volunteers. "We distributed humanitarian aid—both physical and spiritual. Their eyes sparkled with excitement, knowing that someone was thinking of them.”
In the town of Voznesensk, located on the Southern Bug River, the students connected with a small group of people who have maintained their Jewish identity despite many obstacles:
"We came to strengthen them, but we left strengthened by their Jewish resilience," the volunteers shared.
In Mykolaiv, the team of students connected with the local rabbi and jointly hosted an event for children and their parents, bringing much needed fun and joy to a community that has suffered great hardship.
Pervomaisk was another stop along the tour, and volunteers helped 13-year-old Misha celebrate his Bar Mitzvah. "Each event like this left a lasting impression on the local Jews. It couldn't be described in words," the volunteers noted.
We are grateful to the volunteers who provided much support to our ongoing efforts to fortify the people, providing for their physical, mental and spiritual needs. With your help we continue to save lives and restore hope.
Story modified from a Jerusalem Post story on July 23rd, 2024. https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-811475
Celebrating Bar Mitzvah of a Jewish boy in Pervomaysk.
Giving out humanitarian aid for the Jews of Vosnisensk.
