A Dream of Renewing the Jewish Community Being Realized

Margo, 84 years old, met her husband Boris when she was a student studying medicine. In May 1941 they got married and soon the war began. Boris went off to fight leaving behind his wife and daughter Taya. He was wounded and was then discharged. Boris finally made his way home to find his family living in Dnepropetrovsk, and later the family moved to Kazakhstan.

Margo and Boris lived in Kazakhstan for 46 years. Boris became the head of a large trust company, and their oldest daughter followed in her mother’s profession and became a doctor. Their daughter Mariya, who was born after war worked as an engineer.

Margo and Boris have 2 great-granddaughters, Sasha and Masha, who live near them, and one more who lives in Germany. "I have 3 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Taya looks after the elderly, and my grandson Boris is a Hesed volunteer." Margo is very proud of them for not forgetting about the Jewish community. "I am glad to see the younger generation coming to the Hesed. Thanks to JDC our fathers' and grandfathers' dream to renew the Jewish community is being realized."

The Hesed staff fondly looks after Margo and often reminds her to take her food packages from the Hesed or to visit the literature club. However, their reminders often prove excessive because not only is Margo's grandson Boris a volunteer, but her daughter Mariya also works in the Hesed. Her granddaughters are also getting acquainted with Jewish traditions and participate in the holiday celebrations.