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Want to support a synagogue in the former USSR? We need some one interested to look into the details. Contact Chicago Action for Jews in the Former Soviet Union, Susan Fulterman (847-433-0144) or Marilyn Tullman (847-550-0792).  Locally contact Sally Volotsky (314-692-0860) who also can give us direction.

We are looking for a new Chesed Committee Chairperson.  Anyone interested, please notify President Alan Rosenberg, 314-434-6671.

Shelby Kopp (right) meets with members of the Chesed Committee

  
Traditional Helps Support Higher Education of
Three Ethiopian Students in Israel

Longstanding Support

Traditional Congregation is entering its sixteenth year of participation in the Adopt-A-Student program sponsored by NACOEJ (North American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry). Adopt-A-Student supports promising young Ethiopian Israeli Jewish students who need financial help to continue their studies in Israel. 

Exciting News!

·        Our two most recent students have graduated!

·        We have already “adopted” two new students!

·        We collected enough Adopt-A-Student funds to adopt a third student who will be assigned to us in January! 

Funding

Two students are supported with funds raised by the Chesed Committee and the third student is supported by funds provided by Louise and Mel Saltzman in memory of Louise’s parents. Many thanks to everyone who has contributed funds over the years to support this very worthwhile activity! 

Wanted: Correspondents

If you would like to correspond with a current or former student please contact Stanley Estrin (314-993-1517). Corresponding with our students is very interesting and rewarding. Hebrew is NOT required—you can write in English. 

Letters from Our Students

Following are excerpts from recent letters written by our two graduates and our two newest students. 

Solomon Rata (Graduate) – Social Sciences and Economics

July 2007 

It is a real honor for me that you are among the people who stand behind my success in my studies. You really helped me during the period of my studies, and of course I enjoyed your kindness of heart. Although it is nothing too big, I am including with this letter a small gift to symbolize how grateful I am for everything you have done. I pray that there would be more people like you. May God keep you and your family members. With great thanks.

Solomon Rata 

[Chesed Committee note: Solomon sent Traditional a beautiful mezuzah case and bentcher for Birkat HaMazon].

Zerfe Beza (Graduate) – Medical Instruments

September 2007

I completed my theoretical studies successfully this month and will soon receive my certificate. I would like to thank you for your help and support thanks to which I was able to complete and succeed in my studies. Without your help I am certain that I would have been unable to reach where I am today. Without having to constantly worry about my financial difficulties I was able to dedicate my time to my studies and to achieve good results. Of course I did have difficulties to deal with like getting used to a new pace and a new environment, learning the Hebrew language and comprehending the material, since I only came to Israel from Ethiopia recently. I hope to be able to find work in my newly acquired profession.

Sincerely,
Zerfe Beza

Gidon Trunech (New Student) – Law 

August 2007 

I was born in the village of Gondar, which is in Ethiopia, in 1981. I first came to Israel with my family in 1984. When we first arrived here we were given a place to live in an absorption center in Kiryat Arba. We then moved to Haifa where I completed 12 years of school including my high school diploma. I continued my studies for one additional year in order to become a certified electrician. I joined the military…I served in the air force…This year I was accepted to the University of Haifa. I will begin studying for an undergraduate degree in general studies this October and I hope to begin studying law next year. I would like to thank you in advance for your support.

Gidon Trunech

Zehava Ovanek (New Student) – Sociology and Anthropology 

August 2007 

I was born in Hadera, here in Israel, in 1983. My parents first came to Israel from Ethiopia in 1981…After completing my high school studies I went on to do my national service for two years. During the first year I worked in an Ulpan where I taught Jews from all over the world how to speak Hebrew. During the second year I worked as an assistant kindergarten teacher in a special kindergarten for children with psychiatric and emotional problems…I began studying at the University of Haifa in 2006 and at the same time the owner of the store where I worked opened a new shop in Haifa…I was made the new store’s manager…During the first year of my studies I had a hard time, since my job requires a lot of responsibility…I decided that next year I would work fewer hours and thus improve my grades. I hope that you will be able to help me, since I would very much like to succeed in my studies. Thank you in advance for everything.

Zehava Ovanek

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