By fjc.ru
The Jewish community of Zhitomir – a member of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine – has immense reason to celebrate, with the inauguration of its new ‘Fellowship House’, a new charitable soup kitchen aimed at providing nutritious kosher meals to needy persons.
This initiative is complementary to another institution that has been operated for a long time now by the local Jewish community – a shelter for Jewish orphans. Now, orphans and other children living at this children’s home, who are otherwise from impoverished families, will benefit from regular hot kosher meals.
The grand opening of the ‘Fellowship House’ took place during the Shabbaton’ seminar run by the Jewish community of Zhitomir, an event that was attended by more than a hundred students and guests from Zhitomir and other Ukrainian cities, as well as from abroad.
Community leaders and guests alike expressed their utmost appreciation and gratitude to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ), otherwise known as the Fellowship Foundation, and personally to its Director, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein.
Without their sponsorship, this ‘Fellowship House’ would not have been launched and it would have been a struggle to provide for the many needy children who will benefit from this project.
Chief Rabbi of Zhitomir Shlomo Wilhelm also expressed his personal gratitude on this occasion.
“I want to say that even if assistance of a non-financial nature is provided, but a good deed and advice, then we would also be happy to receive it. We are very pleased that you care about us and our children are always so great.
“In response, we want to wish you prosperity and all the joy and happiness that you have brought us and our children. We hope that, in future, our cooperation will endure and that our children will continue to receive your attention and care”.