“It Warms my Heart to Know That There are People out There Who Care”

IFCJ Canada  |  November 28, 2025

Valentina lives in Tiberias and has been in Israel since she made aliyah (immigration to Israel) from Russia in 1995 with her late husband, Edward. Being 85 years old, she was only nine months old when World War II broke out in the former Soviet Union. As a toddler, she remembers the Victory Day celebration in 1945 in the streets of Moscow.

However, Valentina’s family’s real battle has always been with poverty. This was the case when her father was drafted, and her mother raised her and her two sisters on her own. Unfortunately, Valentina still struggles in Israel, with Edward’s death two years ago leaving her alone, and the war that began on October 7 filling her with an all-too-familiar feeling of heartbreak. Thankfully, her neighbours were able to rush her into a bomb shelter –but she may not be so lucky next time.

This is where The Fellowship is proud to come in. As a Fellowship beneficiary, Valentina is one of thousands of elderly Israelis receiving essential aid like food, medicine, and care. For her, these aid packages are more than a gift – they assure her of wellness and stability and remind her that there are people who care. As someone with asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes, and back problems, this aid is very much a lifeline.

But support from IFCJ Canada is truly a light in the darkness. Valentina said, “It warms my heart to know that there are people out there who care – who make sure we have food on the table.”

Give your best gift today can help elderly Israelis like Valentina. You’ll not only help supply them with essentials like food and medicine – you’ll play a key role in comforting these precious people late in their lives.