Freedom from Pain and Hunger
Irina and her mother, Inna, live in Ukraine. Their numerous medical problems make it difficult, if not impossible, for these two elderly women to leave their home. The women’s isolation is especially hard given their active past…
Irina and her mother, Inna, live in Ukraine. Their numerous medical problems make it difficult, if not impossible, for these two elderly women to leave their home.
The women’s isolation is especially hard given their active past. Inna was once a lawyer. During years of communist rule, she was pressured to either leave law or leave Judaism, but she clung to both, enduring expulsion from a legal group and much anti-Semitic discrimination.
Irina too was the victim of anti-Semitism and communist oppression. A high-school literature teacher, she had a knack for winning the hearts of even the most difficult students. Despite this, she was soon fired by a communist principal. After that, the only work Irina could find was at a local library, where she was relegated to shelving books. Her colleagues were all very anti-Semitic and tortured her constantly.
Sadly, there was no solace at home. Irina’s husband was a violent alcoholic who beat her constantly.
Following her husband’s death, Irina moved in with her mother, and has been helping to care for her ever since. The two women struggle financially. Their apartment is falling apart and they barely have money for food – their sole income is Inna’s tiny pension of $40 a month.
Their only help comes from IFCJ Canada, who, with your help, provide them with food cards so they have enough to eat, medicine, and, most importantly, homecare. In addition to helping with household tasks, Irina’s IFCJ Canada homecare worker helps ease the women’s loneliness and feelings of isolation. Both Irina and her mother are deeply grateful for this extra care and support.
There are so many elderly Jews in the former Soviet Union like Inna and Irina who worked hard throughout their lives but now struggle simply to survive. Your gift to The Fellowship can mean the difference between a life of dignity and a life of poverty and isolation for people like them. Please give today – and may God bless you for your kindness.
