This is a concert of old Jewish music ensemble in Hesed Shpiera. My grandson Igor Radomyselski (second from the left) is playing a flute. This ensemble was created in the Transcarpathian regional fund 'Hesed Shpiera'. This photo was taken in Uzhhorod, Ukraine, in 2001.
My older daughter Irina only wanted to marry a Jewish man. I supported her in this: I was terrified to think that my daughter could hear the word 'zhydovka' from a non-Jewish husband one day. She has typical Semitic looks. However, Irina couldn't find a Jewish husband. At some point of time Irina decided to have a baby without a husband. In 1988 my grandson Igor was born. I don't know who his father was. My daughter never spoke to me about him. I think that if we had moved to Israel Irina would have got married and her child would grow in a full family. When she went to work in Hesed she finally got a Jewish surrounding. Irina tells me 'If only I had this when I was young…' Anyway, Igor has become a big joy for us. He is a nice boy and we raise him together. He is a very talented boy. He studies well in a special school with advanced learning of English. Igor finished a music school in playing the flute. My grandson has played 3 years in the ensemble of old music in Hesed and we are very happy about it. He reads a lot and is fond of computer. He has Jewish friends for the most part. Igor is eager to go to Israel and we are very concerned about his future.
After Ukraine became independent after the breakdown of the USSR, I saw that it had an effect on the Jewish life. We became closer to it. At first, I began to work at the synagogue helping to distribute meals to old people. In 1999, when Hesed opened in Uzhhorod, my daughter and I went to work there. My grandson Igor attends a Sunday school in Hesed. They study Jewish traditions, history and religion, Ivrit and Yiddish. In summer Igor goes to Jewish summer camps. He likes it there very much. My grandson identifies himself as a Jew and he speaks proudly about it. Hesed provides assistance to us: food packages and meals. We got to observe all Jewish holidays in Hesed and often attend lectures and concerts. Of course, our biggest pleasure is to attend the concerts of the orchestra where my grandson plays. I can socialize with friends in Hesed. Hesed has given me and my family a possibility to become Jews and return to our roots. This is very important for me now.
