HILLEL KHARKOV (UKRAINE): Children Camp for inmates of Ukrainian Children's Home

Wednesday 14 November 2007

Children Camp for inmates of Ukrainian Children's Home

On the 27-31 of October the Hillel students took part in the new project. Having been invited by International Women’s Community students were involved in preparing and holding the camp “City of talents” for 74 inmates of eight Ukrainian Children's Home and boarding schools. The camp was organized by charity funds 'Edinstvennaa', 'Dar' and International Women’s Community and was held in Kiev. The program of the camp consisted of the best achievements approved during the family camps, programs for children at risk, while attending the children’s houses, boarding schools and Hillel seminars.

One of the days the children were offered the program, realized at the last regional Hillel seminar. With the help of leaders the participants of the camp performed the production, shooting and montage of five short films. This day finished with ceremonial presentation of awards for the best works with all the attributes of the film festival.

Also the participants were offered to work in Art Studios, Master Classes, program “Carnival”, “Topsy-turvy”, “Guess the melody” and traditional work in the groups.

The participation in holding the camp was of great significance both for foster children and Hillel students. Work in new conditions with the children of new social group gave the students invaluable experience, contributed to their professional growth that would allow them of course to raise the level of their social work in community in the future. The students succeeded in creating in the camp the atmosphere in best Jewish and common to all mankind traditions of kindness and mercy. The camp where the leaders were the students from Jewish organizations became the best way of bringing up school children in the spirit of international friendship and tolerance. At last the Hillel students managed to liberate the pupils of the leaving forms making them more open-minded and sociable that was one of the main psychological tasks of the program before their entering to the new social-psychological conditions of living. The program on working with this group of graduators from boarding schools lasts for a year and it is pleasant to learn that the organizers have invited the Hillel students already to hold the camp in winter 2008.

PICTURES

HILLEL KHARKOV

Kharkov Hillel is a part of the World Jewish Student Organization Hillel which aims are involving Jewish Youth to the process of reviving Jewish Community life, bringing up new generation of Jewish leaders, studying Jewish history, religion, tradition and culture forming the self-consciousness of the young Jewish. Kharkov Hillel was opened in 1997 and since then it has grown up from a small group of enthusiasts into a big organization which unites more then 400 people. Today Kharkov Hillel - it is studying of Judaism and Jewish World in all its diversity; the ceremonies of Shabbath and Havdala, holding holiday projects and programs devoted to the events from the Jewish calendar. There are studios and programs in Hillel such as: Jewish tradition, Hebrew, Drama, Jewish dance, Vocal group, Psychology, English, German, Shaping, ‘School of leaders’, fashion studio ‘Esther’, videoproject, White theater’ lightpainting studio, where the students can develop and show their talents. It has become a good tradition to hold the annual holiday projects (Pesach and Purim) together with Hillel students from Washington when the students hold Peasch Seders and programs, give performances, visit elderly and needy people, learn about Jewish life of Kharkov and region. Together with the students from the International Jewish College Corps (project of the American Jewish World Service) our Kharkov students clean up the territory of the Jewish graveyard and do other work useful for the Community. Alternative Summer Break – project of Michigan and Kharkov Hillel supported by AJJDC ‘Joint’ when the students repair houses of elderly Jews and Jews in need. Hillel - is an opportunity to meet young people from other cities and countries; to take part in the work of interesting seminars and make trips around CIS countries, Israel and the USA. Hillel is an inalienable part of Kharkov Jewish Community, one of the active participants of the process of reviving the Jewish Community life in the city. Collaborating closely with other Jewish organizations of the city Hillel volunteers envelop with their work all the layers of Jewish population. These are family programs and ‘Family camps’ programs for veterans, elderly and needy people, the programs for school children, kids and children at risk. One of the main tasks of Hillel is to bring up the young Jewish leaders and today many Hillel students work in different Jewish organizations of the city. Hillel represents worthily Jewish Community in the cultural and public life of the city.Youth - is the future of any nation and the main aim of Hillel is to help Jewish nation to have perfect future.