In Zaporizhzhia, Writing a More Hopeful Story with JDC

Books are Emma Z.’s passion. When she was a little girl, Emma pored through her family’s library, finding inspiration and strength in the stories she read. When the conflict in Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, Emma, now 65, found another source of strength — the JDC-supported Hesed Michael social service center in Zaporizhzhia. In this reflection, Emma recounts her Jewish upbringing, her difficulties before and during the current conflict, and the story she’s most eager to read. 

I’ve always taken comfort in reading, especially when faced with difficult times. 

As a young girl, for instance, I watched an adaptation of Tolstoy’s War and Peace. Impressed by the actors’ performances and the script, I read the novel. After turning the last page, I fell in love with the main character, Natasha Rostova — I wanted to be just like her.

We didn’t have a television in my childhood home. Instead, it was filled with literature. My late brother was a book collector, and my grandmother left a lot of her belongings, including books, to us. Despite the challenges of life in Ukraine today, it’s hard to think about selling off any of those beloved books just to make ends meet. In fact, it just feels wrong.

Decades later, I realize that my love of books, of words, was a profoundly Jewish passion. 

At all times, the Jewish people have been characterized by their special wisdom, intelligence, and yes, literacy. My grandmother’s father was a rabbi. He was a very sharp and educated man because he read a lot. This love of reading was passed down to my grandmother, and through her, to me.

But literacy wasn’t the only thing my grandmother gave me. As the daughter of a rabbi, she imparted a profound love for our Jewish traditions and history. I’d often hear her speak Yiddish to my father, and though I didn’t understand the language, I’d listen with great admiration.

Another precious gift was her delicious cooking — yet another expression of her Jewishness. The aroma of freshly baked matzah, matzah brei, and gefilte fish are cherished memories that, decades later, I can’t compare to anything else. They’ve remained with me throughout the years, and I now understand the sacrifices I’ve had to make in order to honor my Jewish roots.

These days, I need these memories — my Jewishness — more than ever. 

When the nightmare began on February 24th, 2022, we didn’t realize that it would last so long. I was at home, like everyone else. All of us were mentally prepared for something terrible, but none of us expected what happened to be so terrible and tragic. And when we saw what happened in places like Kharkiv and Bucha, not to mention the shelling here in Zaporizhzhia, we were completely overcome with fear.

Every time the air-raid siren blared, I went down to the shelter together with my neighbors (that is, if a simple cellar can properly be called a shelter). Then, even though my grandson came and urged me to leave the city for a safer place, I refused. I’ve lived my entire life in Zaporizhzhia. I decided to stay here and stick with my community —  no matter what — and to this day, I haven’t left. 

This was a hard decision. The conflict wasn’t a scene from a movie — it was our actual, daily, minute-by-minute reality. It was incredibly difficult to come to terms with this. 

It was also hard to accept that everything was now more expensive. With my pension of just $66 a month — barely more than $2 per day — I simply couldn’t afford basic necessities. That’s when my cousin recommended I connect with Hesed Michael. 

I’d been aware for some time that there was a Jewish organization in our city dedicated to helping Jews in need. And so, in the middle of this awful situation, I was overjoyed when I discovered Hesed for myself. Their support — food, medicine, and more — has helped me get back on my feet. Between the conflict and the rising cost of living, I simply wouldn’t have survived without this assistance. 

They’ve given me something arguably more important, too: spiritual strength. Hesed Michael celebrates our Jewish traditions, and this fills me with pride. Here, I experience genuine solidarity with other Jews — Jewishness is no longer just a memory from my childhood, but a living, breathing, joyful way of life.

Hesed Michael celebrates our Jewish traditions, and this fills me with pride — here, I experience genuine solidarity with other Jews.

And thanks to JDC, I don’t even need to leave my home to join my beloved Jewish community. 

I live by myself, and I miss socializing with my friends. But with the smartphone JDC gave me — a part of JDC’s JOINTECH initiative, a program that distributes specially-designed smartphones so that seniors like me can join vibrant Jewish life — I know I’m not alone. 

This little phone is my window on the world. Each day, I join online clubs, seminars, celebrations, and more. I’m thrilled to interact with my friends, and I always learn something new. The lecturers share a lot of fascinating information with us, and I’m delighted to be part of a community of like-minded people. 

Best of all, I get to indulge in my life-long passion — books. The Literary Discussion Club introduces us to fascinating stories, followed by thought-provoking discussions where we share our perspectives. It’s truly an enriching experience, and I think it helps me cope with anxiety and depression.

Yes, there is a lot to be worried about — I fear the possibility of losing those dearest to me. But there’s also so much to be grateful for, like those who support JOINTECH, Hesed Michael, and JDC. Though these are trying times for all of us, the unwavering support of those willing to give makes life worthwhile. 

I’ve been reading stories my entire life. And after all these years, the story I’m most grateful for is the one JDC helps us write — one of hope and resilience and better days ahead for all of Ukraine’s Jews. 

Emma Z., 65, is a JDC client in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine.

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