Cooperation and exchange of experience of various organizations of the Hesed system is a promising and far-sighted direction of development of the network of social institutions throughout the CIS. Within Ukraine, work is constantly being carried out to strengthen ties between Heseds for the better work of all Funds in general. This fall, representatives of the Kharkiv office of Hesed Shaare Tikva and the Beidan Center, together with representatives of similar organizations of the Eastern region, headed by the Director of the Joint, Mickey Katsif, visited our Khmelnytsky colleagues. The seminar lasted three days, during which the guests were able to see the work of the Hesed Besht Foundation from all sides and in all directions.
This year has been the most difficult for representatives of the Eastern regions of Ukraine since the return of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) to the CIS. Three regions of Ukraine that had their own infrastructure and management vertical are in an extremely difficult situation. And if the annexed Crimea has become subordinate to the Russian structures of the JDC, then the Luhansk and Donetsk regions have remained in the care of local branches. In addition to the danger of working in the ATO zone, there has been a huge problem of internally displaced persons, who are also being cared for by our colleagues from the Kharkiv JDC.
According to Mickey Katsif, the visit to Khmelnytskyi region was to familiarize employees with the practice of working in relatively small regions. Despite the small size and significantly fewer clients, there is an increase in the level of work here due to the introduction of new forms of work, attracting additional sponsors. Thus, there is always something to learn. And the change from an almost military situation to a calm one is always beneficial, allowing you to sum up what has been done or carefully outline plans for the future.
The main objects of pride of the Khmelnytsky Charitable Foundation "Hesed Besht" were presented to the guests: the Rehabilitation Center "School of Health" in the village of Pechesky, the Community Center "Thia", the Community Center of the city of Ternopil and the new building - the Community Center in Kamianets-Podilsky. One of the evenings was spent by all colleagues together: a joint dinner in an informal setting was intended to allow people to relax and chat. The employees of the Khmelnytsky Charitable Foundation "Hesed Besht" were happy to present to the guests a part of the concert program "Songs of the Jewish Town". And the highlight of the evening was the performance of the klezmer group "Hesed Band".
A pleasant and touching moment of the informal meeting was the presentation of our Foundation's award to Mickey Katsif - the medal "For Creating Good and Charity". Such recognition of the activities of the leader of the most problematic region in difficult times greatly lifted the spirits of both him and his subordinates, which should have a positive impact on further joint work.
According to the visitors themselves, the seminar will have a positive impact on their future work. Simple ideas for improving the well-being of clients, which were noticed in the Khmelnytskyi region, will never hurt. After all, the main thing in the work of the Heseds is to reach each client and improve their life as much as possible.
