Shavuot begins tomorrow night, June 1st, and the Odessa Jewish community is ready. The staff at Mishpacha Children's Home and Senior Home, two institutions we support that are at heart of the Jewish community, have been preparing for weeks, determined to make the holiday joyful:
"Despite the ongoing war and the many hardships, our Jewish community in Odessa remains united, resilient and deeply committed to keeping the light of Torah alive, especially as we approach the beautiful holiday of Shavuot,” says Igor Shatkhin, President of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Southern Ukraine and Director of Development for the Mishpacha Children’s Home in Odessa.
The Mishpacha Children’s Home houses children from birth to 18 years old, who have been orphaned or displaced. The kids have been counting down the days to the holiday for some time. And at its sister organization, the Mishpacha Senior Home, the spirit of Shavuot will come alive with special meals and visits from students, children and volunteers:
“Our staff are working around the clock to give them not only safety and structure, but also warmth, education and holiday experiences that nourish their souls,” says Shatkhin. “We strive to welcome every person who walks through our doors and remind them that despite what’s happening outside, [t]here is the unshakable warmth of community.”
We pray that the Shavuot holiday will be celebrated in peace--free from warning sirens and air raids. Together we save lives and restore hope.
Information shared from the Chabad.org article by Motti Wilhelm
