This past Tuesday was a special day for the children of the Alumim Orphanage (Zhitomer), thanks to American businessman Ethan Gross and his wife Yael. Mr. and Mrs. Gross took the 30 children who live at the home on a special outing to a museum in Ashdod. Once back at the orphanage, they presented each child a new hoodie that includes the JRNU logo on the front and Israeli and Ukrainian flags on the shoulder. The children also received a variety of special candies the couple purchased in Ashdod. Finally, Mr. Gross conducted a short magic show and taught the children some of the tricks of the trade to perform their own magic!
Executive Director of the orphanage, Malki Bukiet expressed her thanks and shared the reaction of the kids: "They loved everything Mr. and Mrs. Gross brought for them, and enjoyed the visit! The children had so much fun—it was a great day."
The children thanked the visitors directly, by presenting them with gifts of their own: one of the boys shared a picture from his bar mitzvah, and two girls gave a piece of shrapnel that landed in the yard in Ashkelon.
Executive Director Bukiet, along with Rabbi and Mrs. Wilhelm continue to do an outstanding job providing a nurturing and supportive environment for these children who have endured so much.
We are grateful for the generous support of the Gross family; they have been true champions of the Ukrainian people, lending support in many different ways, and helping our efforts to save lives and restore hope.
