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By Susan and Jeffrey Posner

The six of us walked down the long cobble-stoned alley toward the Warm Home on our last morning in Odessa. We were greeted by the Jewish Ukrainian woman who owned the house where eight Jewish seniors come once a week to congregate, talk and find much-needed companionship.

The Warm Home program was developed by the Joint Distribution Committee in the Ukraine to alleviate the loneliness that plagues the elderly. Seniors often lose a sense of belonging to a community as spouses and friends die and the seniors find themselves alone. This program provides them with a place a get together and enjoy each other’s company.

Gathered around the table at the Warm Home were eight seniors in their eighties. Three was visually impaired but despite that they were all engaged and eager to talk with us. They wanted to discuss Ukrainian and U.S. politics, President Obama, and the upcoming U.S. election, but they were mostly interested in talking about Israel. They were verbal, passionate and anxious to share their stories with us. When asked what they did each time they got together, Dora said that they sang and and she actually sang a spirited multi-versed song in Yiddish.  When asked what else they did, they answered with a laugh that they just talked - about everything going on in their lives. That was enough. 

One of the group, Markus, a retired engineer, spoke English. Although he was blind and hard of hearing, he was the most animated of the group. He stood up to talk about the meeting of the American and Russian soldiers at the end of WWII at the Elbe River.  He was there at that meeting while serving in the Soviet army and still remembers trading Vodka for whiskey and celebrating the American GIs.

The seniors all receive social services from Hesed including medications, food, and home health services as needed. These 80-year-olds are living 15-20 years longer than the Ukrainian average with the support of the JDC and the Associated. 

We were impressed by the Warm Homes program because it enriches the lives of seniors with a minimal financial investment and provides the participants with intellectual stimulation and companionship.

Read other stories from The Odessa Leadership Mission:
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