Recently, the Mishpacha Orphanage in Odessa welcomed Germany’s Foreign Minister, Mr. Johann Wadephul, the German Ambassador to Ukraine Mr. Martin Jäger, and Germany’s Honorary Consul in Odessa, Mr. Alexander Kipke.
The delegation was particularly interested in seeing the orphanage, as the German government had facilitated its temporary relocation to Berlin for nearly a year during the early days of the war. The German visitors were also eager to witness the extensive humanitarian efforts in Odessa carried out by Chief Rabbi Avraham Wolff and supported by JRNU.
The Mishpacha Orphanage cares for 124 children from across Ukraine whose parents are unable or unwilling to provide a suitable home. Throughout the ongoing conflict, the orphanage has continued to offer stability, hope, and love to some of the country’s most vulnerable kids.
During the visit, the Foreign Minister was presented with a silver replica of the German passport issued to Tuvia, a little boy brought to the orphanage as an infant within days of the initial invasion. The passport enabled Tuvia to evacuate Ukraine to the safety of Berlin, during a time of great danger: “This gift will forever remind you of the extraordinary kindness you showed us at our most difficult moments,” said Mr. Igor Shatkhin, President of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Southern Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Wadephul was deeply moved by the gift and words of thanks: “We did not come here just to observe – we came to ensure a future of security and success for these children. We have not forgotten you for a moment, and we will continue to do all we can to support you.”
We are grateful to the German government for their ongoing encouragement and support of the orphanage and the entire Jewish community in Odessa. Together we save lives and restore hope.
