‘No More Tears to Cry’ IFCJ Canada | May 8, 2026 (Photo: Mishel Amzaleg) Ella was 7 years old when World War II broke out in the former Soviet Union and her family was forced to evacuate from Moscow. “I remember very clearly this horrible journey,” Ella says. “All the people were put on a freight train – wagons without windows or doors, and with no water or toilets. The number of people in each wagon was enormous, people were squeezed one into another.” Many died from the extreme conditions and lack of resources on the rough journey. Ella says it’s a horrible memory. When they arrived in Tajikistan, they were housed in tents with no floor. There was no running water and no food, and Ella remembers her diet consisted of “small pieces of bread with some cotton oil and some salt that I sucked during the day.” Times were so terrible that her youngest sibling died at just 11 months from pneumonia, as they all depended on their 27-year-old mother. The years after the war were made difficult as well. It still was challenging for the family to get enough food, and antisemitism was very prevalent, affected all aspects of Ella’s life—her education, career opportunities, and overall wellbeing. After so many hardships, Ella was overjoyed to finally make aliyah (immigrate to Israel) years later. Even after all she has endured, Ella feels blessed to live in the Holy Land, surrounded by caring friends around the world who provide her with food deliveries, comfort and care – supporting her in her old age. “I want to thank The Fellowship and all the donors who are involved in this important work for everything you do. You make a real difference in the lives of people in need like me.” Your gift today will help provide basic needs and lifesaving help for God’s children, like Ella, in Israel and around the world.
