Clara Shalenko

This is me. The photo was made in Odessa in 2002.

I live alone now. I get assistance from Gmilus Hesed. Once a month I receive food packages. A volunteer from there spends with me 3 hours per week. She cleans my apartment, washes me and buys potatoes and bread. I've had an infarction and it has become a problem to me to go to the synagogue. Before I fell ill sometimes curator from Gemilut Hesed called me to invite to the theater or to a tour with groups of Jews. There were 15 of us on that tour. We went to the places related to the Jewish history in our town. We took pictures. I read Jewish newspapers published in Odessa and watch Jewish TV programs. I remember going to the synagogue in Evreyskaya Street. It was returned to the Jewish community few years ago. I lost my breath so strong the spirit of the Jewish atmosphere was there. It was refurbished in such a wonderful way. Jews leave their books of prayers on their seats and they remain there until they come next time. Jews are alive and will live.