Mission Impossible arrives in Moldova
KEY FACTS
Through the Mission Impossible programme, volunteers drove from the UK, crossing six borders and arrived in Moldova with two new Renault Traffic vans.
Over 150 people gathered in the courtyard of the KJJC to witness the important ceremony of the transfer of the vans to the community.
In October 2007 a group of WJR staff volunteers Jimmy and Philippa Strauss, Laurence Ackerman, Natalie Baskin, Rosalind Beckman, Stephen Lewis and WJR Gifts in Kind Manager, Roz Bluestone, went to Moldova with a special mission. The long-term partnership between WJR and the Jewish community of Moldova took new turn.
Through the Mission Impossible programme, volunteers drove from the UK, crossing six borders and arrived in Moldova with two new Renault Traffic vans. These vehicles will be used for to transport clients with limited mobility and helped by Hesed Yehuda (welfare centre) and Jewish Family Service (JFS).
The intensive programme of the mission included home visits to welfare clients, meetings with the Jewish businessmen and leaders of the Boards of the welfare and distribution centres as well as with heads of Jewish organizations. The group participated in the traditional Moldovan holiday – Day of Wine - toured the KJJC, took part in a friendly football match with the local Maccabi team, and brought in Kabbalat Shabbat together with the KJJC staff and guests.
Of course, the ceremony of the presentation vans to the Hesed and JFS became the climax of the programme.
Over 150 people, including the British Ambassador in Moldova, the Vice-Minister of Social Protection, other representatives of the Government, City administration, Jewish and non-Jewish NGOs, mass-media, gathered in the courtyard of the KJJC to witness the important ceremony of the transfer of the vans to the community. It was a moment of huge triumph for all those that had taken part.
“The Republic of Moldova is a very nice country”, said Mr. John Beyer, Britain's Ambassador in Moldova. “Unfortunately, the economic situation in Moldova is not so good at the present time and many people need additional help and care. But I hope in time this will change.”
Ion Pacuraru, the Moldovan Government consultant said: “We are deeply thankful to our friends from WJR for their constant help and support both to the Jewish and non-Jewish communities and welfare organisations in our country.”
“Meeting the community of the Kishinev KJJC has been one of the most moving experiences of my life”, confessed Natalie Baskin, mission participant. “The comprehensive programmes you offer to the whole Jewish community is an example of what can be done with the right amount of support and attention in any community.”
“We are sitting in the most amazing Jewish campus – the KJJC – seeing at first hand the revival of this very old and established Jewish Community. This centre is vibrant and full of hope for the future of Moldovan Jewry. We are touched by the amazing reception given to us yesterday at the distribution ceremony. I had tears in my eyes” wrote Philippa Strauss in the Guest Book.
