Elderly Woman Gives a Family Treasure to Her Hesed 'Family'

Talia, 83, lives by herself in an apartment in Kirovograd, Ukraine, that she shared with her husband until his passing in 1997. Talia's mobility is limited and several health problems – including high blood pressure and heart disease – threaten to leave her feeling isolated and alone. Barely able to get by on her monthly pension of $27, for the past five years Talia has relied on assistance from the local JDC-sponsored Hesed welfare center, which provides her homecare, fresh food, rehabilitation equipment, medications and medical consultations.

Beyond these services, the Hesed is a source of camaraderie for Talia. "Our Hesed has become like a family for me." Despite complications with her health, Talia tries to be active in the community life. With the help of her homecare worker, she attends a needlework hobby group every Tuesday, volunteers for the Hesed club, and participates in the celebrations of Jewish holidays. "I look forward to Tuesdays to see the members of my hobby group because the phone calls we have with them are not enough," says Talia.

Born to a big Jewish family with five children, Talia grew accustomed to being surrounded by loved ones in a Jewish environment. "My parents tried to observe all the traditions," she recalls. "On Shabbat we lit candles and went to the synagogue. And on Pesach my father used to sit at the head of the holiday table, set with special tablecloth and silverware, read prayers and lead the Seder."

In August 1941, as a University graduate, Talia was evacuated to Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where she worked as a Mathematics teacher at a vocational school. She later returned to Kirovograd, where she married and had two sons – one of whom lives in Israel – four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Earlier this year, Talia decided to make a special gift of appreciation to the large family of the Hesed: a Pesach keara (Seder plate) that she had received from her granddaughter living in Israel.

At the Hesed's first organized Seder, where more than 200 community members gathered, Talia addressed the room to present the new keara. "As soon as I saw this Pesach platter, I thought it could be a great gift for some dear person in my life, or dear Jewish family. Then I decided that, without doubt, our Hesed has become such a family for me. [My wish is for] all of us, as one Jewish family, to enjoy this keara from the Holy Land of Israel on this greatest holiday."

Talia continues to attend needlepoint class and other Hesed activities, and hopes to celebrate many more holidays with the Jewish community.