On September 16, 1999, the Main Department of Justice in Khmelnytskyi Oblast registered a new non-governmental organization – the Khmelnytskyi Charitable Foundation “Hesed Besht”. “Hesed” (“Mercy”) is the general name for all charitable centers created by the International Public Organization “Joint” in the CIS. “Joint” and the “Claims Conference” commission are two structures that are official sponsors of these organizations and their main financial donors.

The proper name “Besht” comes from the name of the founder of Hasidism, Baal Shem Tov, who lived and worked in Podillia and is buried in Medzhibozh. The symbol of the Foundation is the mythological bird Zis, which, according to legend, lived in the palace of the biblical King Solomon and guarded it. The image of this bird is traditional in Jewish fine art and symbolizes the Jerusalem Temple, the blooming gardens of Israel, the dream of happiness, goodness and justice. The corporate color of the organization is the light blue color of a peaceful sunny sky.

The institution is headed by Honored Social Worker of Ukraine Ihor Oleksandrovych Ratushny.

Khmelnytsky Charitable Foundation “Hesed Besht” is a laureate of many territorial and All-Ukrainian competitions among social organizations. In 2009, the Foundation took third place in the nomination “Medium and Small Organizations” of the All-Ukrainian competition “Best Employer of Ukraine”.

The institution cooperates with many state and non-state organizations, has partnerships with local and foreign foundations. Since 2010, the Khmelnytsky Charitable Foundation “Hesed Besht” has been a member of the Forum of Philanthropists of Ukraine.