Blessed is the one who can help.  And he will be helped by others.   Helping – is like a snowball, it keeps growing and growing.  You just need to start.

There are many ways in which Odessa JCC “Migdal” is helping its members. They help them build new Jewish families; help them find their Jewish roots and self-identity.   Unfortunately, in Jewish community there are still many families who also need financial help.  Young families and families with small kids are among those who often face financial troubles.

It is clear, that possibilities for help are limited, and that is when others come in to join your efforts.  For “Migdal” center such help from within came in a face of two wonderful foundations at once – Kids in Distressed Situations (USA) and Jewish Child’s Day - JCD (UK).  These two organizations were a real gift from Above that came through close friends of Odessa community center– Leaders family from New York and Israel Strategic Initiatives from Jerusalem.

Wonderful goods were brought to Odessa families with kids by K.I.D.S.  foundation.  Thanks to them more then 60 kids from 1 week to 13 years old received new good cloths for sports and everyday life.  For large families this assistance is most relevant as well as for families with toddlers who grow up faster then ability to purchase cloths for them.

And, with assistance from Jewish Child’s Day, Migdal and Mazl Tov center will be able to purchase equipment for small kids and toddlers, such as highchairs, cradles, baby walkers, etc. that will be given to families for rent. This means that many families will be able to use it and then give back in order for others to use this expensive equipment.

Help others and you will get help!

Everyone knows and sees how active and how popular now the social network Facebook.  Needless to say that almost everyone is having a profile of FB now.  It’s also actively used for running business of fan-pages for various organizations.

Our Ukrainian friends from JCC “Migdal” are also very active on FB and on their fan-page you can find all their latest news, photos and updates.

Please, welcome:

https://www.facebook.com/jcc.migdal?sk=page_insights

Our dear friends!

Those of you, who will not be able to be with us in person during 20th anniversary, would be able to see LIVE BROADCAST of the show on our web-site or on “Migdal”‘s fan-page on Facebook on February 5th at 6 p.m. Kiev time.

9/11 is a tragic date not only for citizens of US but for the whole world.  Picture of the world changed totally on this day 10 years ago and we would never be able to go back again.

On the 10^th anniversary of those tragic events mourning ceremonies were held not only in New York but throughout the world as well.  For example, American flag was deployed on Eiffel tower and Colosseum was lighted up for the whole evening in the American colors.

In Odessa, Ukraine Jewish Community Center “Migdal” was probably the only organization commemorating the memory of victims of 9/11.  On this day “Migdal” was holding Open Days presenting its programs for the new school year and activities for those who were at the Family Camp Halom – 15.  And as part of both these events were Anti-Terror activities.  Kids and grown-ups were drawing poster and doing sand animations on the topic “No to the Terror”.  They were also discussing the problem of terror in the modern world and ways to prevent it. 

People may say different things about globalization and not always good ones.  But as long as the whole world as one family can support each other in the hard times we will live in the happy world.

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!

Shalom friends!

International Jewish Family Camp “Halom” is opening its 15th season and invites to you to spend marvelous week at the seaside near Odessa.

August 17-24 you will have
“Incredible adventures of Jews in the desert”

Participants get:
- educational and entertainment program
- 4 Kosher meals a day
- Deluxe and economy class rooms
- Transfer from/to Odessa to/from the camp
- Additional excursions, tours and other attractions in Odessa after the Family retreat

Call us: +38-0482-372128, +38-048-7770718 everyday except Friday, Saturday and Jewish Holiday from 14.00 to 20-00, Sunday from 10.00 to 17.00
e-mail: migdal@migdal.ru

Don’t think for too long as space is limited!