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Dear friends!

This is important information; please take few minutes to read this. Migdal is planning some major repairs in the building due to the urgent need! We hope to be able to change our coal heating system into gas that has many positive sides to it. Firstly, it will prevent this old building from falling, secondly, this way of heating is much more effective and we won’t be cold in winter any more. But its also very expensive changes! If any of you can help or knows anyone (any foundation) that can, please contact us!
Without your generous help and sincere friendship Migdal won’t be able to survive all the hardships!

Thank you for taking a minute of your precious time.

P. S.  JCC “Migdal” is located in the very old building that is 101 year old and is a former synagogue.  Its heating system is also more then 100 years old and its quite a surprise how it is still working.  New heating system will make 60 grown-ups a week and about 100 children a week warm in winter.

Think about what an enourmous impact your good will can do.

Pesach is not over yet but while we are looking for last holidays we’d like to share with you story of Pesach in Odessa.

With a help of Migdal International Society Inc. and especially Leader’s Family in Odessa in JCC “Migdal”

were held two Seders for more then 100 people.

For more then a week prior to Seders JCC “Migdal” along with Early Childhood Development Center “Migdal – Mazl Tov” were cleaned totally up to get rid of chametz.  As there is so much place to clean, volunteers among parents were called to help out.

All rooms and cupboards, all toys and books were thoroughly cleaned and freed out of chametz.  And in the hall of “Migdal”, where Seders were to take place at, cleaning was supposed to be even more serious.  All the tables and chairs were not only cleaned and washed but also covered twice by oilcloth.  Amazing, how much was done by our wonderful volunteers among which

were men as well as women and kids.

Everything was cleaned and set before the Seders’ time.  Some volunteers came a bit earlier to make last preparations and to set all food on the table.  Then women started lighting the candles and all center filled with peacefulness and joy as well as leisure chatter and congratulations.

As there were two leaders at the Seders:  Velvel Verkhovsky and Zvi – Hirsh Blinder the story was told fully, with different comments and different visions on the events.  Hopefully, most of hundred members of Seder Pesach in Migdal went back home with deeper understanding of inner strength and freedom.

And with G-d’s help, next year we will all meet in Jerusalem! Leshana Haba B’Yerushalayim!

Our warmest congratulations go to Dina Leader, our deares friend.

Board Founders of Migdal International Society Inc. and all people who know Dina are wishing her all the best: lots of health, happines, joy and love.  May you always surronded with your wonderful family and dear friends.

Mazl Tov!!!  Ad mea veEsrim!!!

Entering Migdal’s doors, I could hear loud children’s voices and could see movements all around. I stepped into the building during a break between aerobics for kids and youth. And this is not the only activity happening at one time.
One Sunday morning, the Migdal JCC welcomed about 140 people for various events.
I should warn that it was a regular weekend day and while children were dancing, adults were also busy. They either were in the family theater called “Pur Le Chance,” where parents and children unite for the synergy. In fact, actors were rehearsing for Limud, which is happening this week in Odessa in cooperation with Migdal. A play is performed based on Romain Gary’s novel “All Life Before Us.” Gary was a French novelist of Hebrew extraction who received The Goncourt Prize in 1975 for this novel.
The Migdal building, which is 101 years old, was originally a synagogue, then was used as a KGB in the Soviet times and finally given back to the Odessa Jewish community. Walking along its ancient hall, klezmer band music can be heard. That Sunday, Migdal also ran a photo lab, drawing exercises, programming, library meetings, traditions and Judaism courses.
Moreover, parents were there, meeting with famous people from an Odessa film studio for the “Interesting Cinematography” project in cooperation with the studio.
This is not the entire list of events. During the day, a group of 20 people worked on the 10th anniversary of Mazl Tov. A choir practiced, there was a seminar for future mothers and there was even a Jewish museum meeting.
That weekend was filled with integrity and intensive positive atmosphere, when everybody was in their right places. I would not have chosen to be in another place and time apart from the way it happened in fact.
Which events would you have chosen if you were in my place?

Learn more about Migdal.

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