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Former Ukrainian General Now Heads Squad of Outreach Volunteers
Yosef, 76, emigrated to Karmiel six years ago from the Ukraine. He served his former country as a high-ranking general in the army while contributing to civilian life as a mechanical engineer. A man of strong interests and preferences, Yosef is also a poet. He has self-published four books of his own works, personally funding them on his meager pension and money earned by cleaning houses.
In Karmiel, Yosef has very much found a niche, a sense of belonging and a direction for his life as an Israeli citizen. He maintains his post as a kind of general – however, this time his charges are 45 volunteers who are immigrants from the FSU. These immigrants were volunteers in Heseds in the FSU and today they are active in their new community of Karmiel. Yosef works as the primary contact person between the volunteers and center staff. The Hesed group serves many important functions. Primary among them is solving the problem of isolated seniors, with whom they maintain regular contact to assess their well-being while also helping them access the services they need. "Everyone wants to feel that they are not the only one, that they are not alone," shares Yosef. "Even for some small difficulty or need." One of the main services they provide for the elderly is home repairs. "I especially like to use my abilities to help in this area," says Yosef. A skilled handyman, he is the first on the scene to make any needed repair. Yoesf also organizes activities for the more than 100 regular participants of the Russian Club at the Day Center, a hub of activity and support for Israel's elderly. The Russian Club, consisting of retirees who don't speak Hebrew and probably never will, helps the seniors form a mutual help and support network. The group meets at least once a week for social and cultural gatherings. During the war, Yosef mobilized the 45 Hesed volunteers he oversees to action. Staff would approach the committed leader with a list of tasks needing to be done and Yosef would translate those into practical assignments in the field. He, in turn, reported back the situation of Russian-speaking elderly through direct contact with his volunteers. Always inclined to give of his time and talent, it is clear that Yosef will continue to be a central figure within the Russian speaking retiree community for as long as he is able. November 2006 |
