September 15, 2009
By Staff

Today, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, headed by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, is one of the major sponsors of humanitarian initiatives carried out by Jewish communities across the CIS. This is changing lives at the local level and the latest case in point where this is happening is the north-western Ukrainian city of Sumy.

The Jewish community of Sumy recently concluded its 'Aid the Needy' program, thanks to the generosity of hundreds of people who contributed to the IFCJ. Under the leadership of Rabbi Yechiel Levitanskiy, a Chabad-Lubavitch emissary serving in the region, the Jewish community carried out a campaign that resulted in the most needy Jews receiving assistance for things that they most needed.

This is not the first time that the IFCJ, otherwise known as the 'Keren Yedidut' Fellowship Foundation, has come to the aid of needy residents. As has occurred in hundreds of instances in just as many communities, the Foundation has once again made a big difference in the lives of its beneficiaries.

Many of the recipients took the time to write letters of gratitude to the Foundation and personally to Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein for the support and care they received. Thanks to this aid, Rachel Zhukova was able to repair the plumbing in her old house and Boris Vishnevetsky was able to acquired medications. Eva Shkolnik was grateful for the material assistance because it finally became possible to undergo eye surgery and overcome her glaucoma. Elena Nikonets, who lives in a house without any running water or sewage, was able to purchase a boiler and have water connected to her home. Another letter was received from Galina Spivakova, who expressed thanks for the fact that she now had new glasses and medication to help with her eyesight.