I've been involved in volunteer activities for just over a year.

I believe that in such challenging times, people, especially vulnerable groups, need assistance. For me, volunteering is, above all, a moral duty to myself and to society. From the beginning of my volunteer journey, I realized that I enjoy doing good deeds and helping people.

Currently, volunteering plays a significant role in my life, and even with a busy work schedule, I still find time for it.

By doing good deeds, I feel that even one small person can become part of something big and positive in this world.

I am a teacher-volunteer with a big work experience. I am not indifferent to everything that occurs in Jewish community and not only there. I managed to start many projects, among which there are Sunday school that became one of the best Sunday schools in Ukraine and the first Jewish kindergarten “Prakhim” at the municipal pre-school institution №81. This project was launched with incredible difficulties and it has been working since 2000. I have worked it up and successfully presented it when I studied at the Jerusalem University according to the Melton program for teachers of the Jewish education.I have also initiated and organized such projects as:

1) Publication of the book-almanac «Shofar» about the history of Jews living in the Cherkassy region (assistance in preparation and publication);

2) Organization of a traveling exhibition «Anne Frank. History Lesson» and holding the city competition of compositions in this subject;

3) Help in perpetuation of the Righteous gentile A. Shulezhko (organization of anniversary actions in the city, edition of the book «Pam’yaty Slavetnoy Zhemlyachky», participation and help in installation of a memorial board in the city);

4) Publication of methodical works and scenarios of the Jewish holidays (“New Jewish School” Publishing house, St. Petersburg).

5) Writing poems and songs for children, poetic translations from Hebrew and Yiddish for vocal collectives.

The Jewish period of my life began in 1993 when I returned to my hometown from Poltava. In 1994 my volunteer activity in the Jewish community had started. Doing good deeds, having satisfaction from the fact that you help somebody, and a pleasure from self-realization is what unites all volunteers! I still continue my volunteer activity in the community. I am the Head of Literary club in Hesed and every month, even several times a month, hold thematic meetings with the participants of the Jewish revival programs. I have brought up many generations of the Jewish children. Together with the knowledge of the Jewish culture I strive to foster the desire to do good.

My name is Sergey Baranovsky. I graduated from comprehensive school No. 8 in Mogilev-Podolsky. I am volunteer of Hesed since 2004. Volunteering for me is one of my hobbies in off-duty time and a method of self-realization. I try to participate in all volunteer actions, and also I am all-time participant in the “House Master” project.

My name is Katya, and I have been a volunteer for about a year.

It's important to me because I want to feel that I contribute to the well-being of people who need help or attention. I also simply enjoy participating in social projects, and I really want to dedicate even more time to volunteering—interacting with the people we visit with Shabbat kits or engaging with children who are displaced and organizing various activities for them.

It charges me with energy and inspires me to live.

Hello, my name is Pavel Korzh. I became a volunteer because I consider volunteering to be a noble deed, akin to chivalry. For several years, I have been participating in projects at the center that help improve the lives of our wards. It seems fair to me because every member of society should have the opportunity to enjoy its benefits.

At the beginning of my journey, I was involved in distributing humanitarian aid. Later on, I joined projects such as "We Are Together" and "Crisis 2022," within which we provide support to people with serious illnesses and people with disabilities who find themselves in difficult situations, as well as ensuring the socialization of our elderly wards. I see that our efforts help change people's lives for the better, and I feel proud to be part of a large and cohesive team!

Volunteering teaches me to cope with any difficulties, but the only problem is the lack of time. Due to my main job, I cannot participate in center projects as often as I would like. But as soon as I have free time, I go where my like-minded people are waiting for me.

During my time as a volunteer, I have understood the main thing - if you really want to change the world for the better, then nothing is impossible. It's enough to make a plan and make certain efforts. This inspires me to help others and gives me the strength to act!

Hi all! My name is Vladislav and I want to tell you about my favorite pastime - volunteering. For me, this is not just a process, but a way of life that helps me make the world a better place. My friends also volunteer with me, which makes me very happy, as the process itself becomes more entertaining. We have many funny stories together that we often like to remember, as well as we take care of several grandmothers whom we regularly help. For me, volunteering is not only an opportunity to help others, but also a chance for personal development. This is the ability to realize my responsibility to society and understand that my actions can make the world a better place. When I do good deeds, I feel that there is a kind-hearted message from me to the people who need help. This way I spend a few hours a week that later aree transformed into someone's smile or just comfort and safety and I think that it's really worth it, at least from my point of view.

My name is Tatyana Erushevich. After moving to Kryvyi Rih in search of educational activities for my child, I came across a wonderful opportunity to become part of a volunteer family. It all started when I saw an announcement about volunteer opportunities in the "Volunteer Community" Facebook group. It immediately caught my attention, and I decided to give it a try. At first, I simply brought my child to various clubs, but one day, while observing the work of volunteers, their dedication, and enthusiasm, I felt a strong desire to contribute to this noble cause. Since then, I have become an active participant in all volunteer initiatives. I was fortunate to help generate ideas and coordinate the "Shabbat Guest" project, which involves baking challah and other dishes. This project is truly special because it brings people together and creates an atmosphere of warmth and hospitality. My experience in volunteering has taught me that kindness and solidarity can change the world around us. I wish every volunteer in our network to continue illuminating hearts with the light of kindness, not only in our country but throughout the world. Let's work together to make our world a better place!

I have graduated the technical school of radio electronics. I worked as the engineer at the plant, and now I am a freelancer. With great pleasure, I spend my free time in LVC. I like to help the older people. Also I consider a point of honor, the participation in the “ Memory Road” project where we clean and make order in the places which are connected with the Jewish memory. I like to read very much, and now me and a group of the volunteers prepare the “ Bookcrossing” project to start.

My name is Vladimer Simachyov. I have got higher education, graduated from the Moscow university of arts as a graphic designer. At present is a sports journalist of Ukraine. I have a hobby — music and sport. Besides that I spend my free time on volunteering. Since 2015 I am engaged in household reparations in the framework of the project “House Master” in Kazatin. Volunteering for me is an opportunity to bring good and joy to people.

My name is Anatoly. I have graduated from Kiev National Agricultural University as a zoo engineer. Since 2015 I do my best in household reparations in the framework of the project “House Master”, fixing furniture and household devices. For me volunteering is an opportunity to help people in need, to realize myself, and also my abilities.

My name is Lyubov, I started my volunteer journey four years ago. It was then that I first heard about the volunteer center at one of the charity events in Sumy. Having joined the vocal and theater group "Aviv", I began to actively participate in concerts and various volunteer events. This is how my volunteer work began. Subsequently, I learned that there are many different, interesting projects here. I was offered to try myself as a volunteer animator. I liked this lesson very much, I didn’t even expect from myself that volunteering can be so fun, varied and creative. The feeling that there is meaning in life, there is truth that there is something like a soul that requires the creation of something beautiful in the world - this is what encourages me to volunteer. After all, in fact, it's just "unrealistic" that we can make a contribution, really significant, and make this world a better place, improve someone's mood, and therefore health and life, more beautiful! We can influence the world! Add light to it! It also illuminates me from the inside. In my free time, going to play with children is great not only for them, but also for me.

About 2 years ago, I realized that I couldn't just sit idly by. I started helping by collecting various items for protection and those in need. The initial steps into volunteering occurred when I joined the work of sewing warm insoles. It became evident to me that everyone can contribute with their skills.

However, true volunteering began with the Kryvyi Rih Volunteer Community at Hesed Hanna. I understood that I needed to do what I could to help the front and those in need. Knitting led me to "28 Loops," now "Ball of Good." Then came sorting humanitarian aid, assembling food kits, participating in the "Good Deeds" campaign, and, of course, the volunteer school. Hobbies can be turned into small projects. Since I enjoy baking, I gladly responded to coordinator Maria Lomachevskaya's proposal to conduct a baking workshop for challah. And now, we have a whole team of wonderful challah makers. The sewing workshop laid the foundation for our sewing studio. By helping others, I help myself stay true to who I am during difficult times, feeling needed and useful.