By: Melanie Pasch ’13

I’m writing from a JCC in Almaty, Kazakhstan. We just got back from a home visit with an elderly Jewish woman who escaped Russia at the start of World War II, she was able to make a life for herself here with a husband and two beautiful sons. Unfortunately she lost her husband over ten years ago and then her sons in 2004 and 2006 respectively. She has a grandson who remains in touch with her, but not nearly enough. She lives alone in a ground-level apartment here in Almaty with her three cats. We cleaned her house and cleared out her yard, which was full of leaves from last autumn or possibly several autumns. She was so happy we were there. After our work we always join the babushka, as they say, for some chai (tea) and had a chance to talk. My Russian is improving; by that I mean I can now say a few phrases and in combination with body language and facial expressions, communicate at a basic level.

Luckily we work with our Kazakhstani Jewish peers who have been living with us and help translate. Not all of them even speak English, but we somehow have managed to become quite close. The babushka was so sweet and fun to joke around with. We asked what her secret was for beauty in old age and she strongly suggested that I consider marrying her grandson, or at least a nice man who will give me the “castle” that I deserve. I told her she should remember to call him and tell my husband that in a few years whoever that may be. We all laughed and she proceeded to invite me to come live with her and perfect my Russian. It was honestly very temping. She even told me she loved me to which I responded in repeating “Ya tebya lublu.” She didn’t believe that she was the only person I’ve ever said those Russian words to, but it was of course true. She hugged and kissed me goodbye and I new it would be the last time I would ever see her. Regardless of my kind words, the realities of this world aren’t exactly conducive to a close lasting friendship with a woman who doesn’t own a computer in Kazakhstan.

I’m fascinated by the stories of the people we visit. As the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, with whom I was lucky enough to have as a central influence in my life, I really am so interested in learning where these people come from. Did they experience the vanished world in which my grandparents once lived? I have grown up hearing about “shtetls” and feeling as if I had once lived there myself. I feel a part of me is still from that world since the “old country” shaped the people who shaped me. Not all of these people came from the world of Yiddish “shtetls,” but these people are still Jewish people –my people. They still smile and hug us despite our sweaty conditions and still push another cup of tea and cookie on us –G-d forbid we should go hungry. Despite the language barrier, it is clear on a very real level that these “babushkas” or “dedushkas” are one of our own.

These home visits produce very complex emotions; part of me is so happy that I had the opportunity to make these seemingly forgotten people smile and live in a slightly cleaner home, but my heart still breaks just knowing that they are living in these conditions to begin with. For anyone to live in poverty is a horrible thing, Jewish or non-Jewish, but when someone who laughs like my grandma and sings like my Papa is living this way –I simply cannot sleep.

The first home I went to was on the outskirts of the city in a more rural setting. The briefing said they had no central utilities, little did I realize at the time that that meant they use an actual outhouse. This particular elderly couple at the ages of 86 and 87 could barely walk anymore. Little was left to my imagination when the babushka had to relieve herself and walked outside to urinate against the outer wall of her house with us only a few feet away. Even without language I could feel her helpless embarrassment as she went about her business with us close by to spot her (she had told her she frequently falls). I thought of my own grandma who is also 86 and now dependent on diapers and a live-in nurse. This couple is lucky to have a homecare visit from the Almaty Hesed sponsored by the JDC twice a week. The visitor cooks food that they assured me is delicious and helps them clean themselves and do other basic care. Thank G-d for the work they are doing! But what about the other five days of the week? My grandma has diabetes and takes so many medications that it’s practically a full-time job to keep them organized and on schedule. I can’t imagine that these people of the same age could not need similar care sooner or later.

The elderly man of this household particularly resonated with me. He was evacuated to Kazakhstan with his mother and sister from his “shtetl” in Ukraine at the outbreak of World War II. I had to dig to uncover his Yiddish past, but soon he was singing Yiddish songs from his childhood for me and the rest of my work group. It literally brought tears to my eyes as this 87 year old man who could barely hold his head up was able to paint me a window into the vanished world of my grandparents, however small it may have been. For that moment especially I could see my Papa in his eyes as he sang the same Yiddish lyrics I’m sure he would have joined in on with a smile. I recorded the song to share it with my grandma and hopefully send it to the Yiddish Book Center to hopefully be preserved forever.  I’ve watched the video a few times since and keep thinking –what if I had never went to his tiny home in southeastern Kazakhstan? What if I wouldn’t have asked him if he spoke Yiddish? This man has no children and his mother and sister with whom he escaped have since died. No one would have heard his story, nevertheless see the nostalgia in his eyes and the bitter sweetness in his voice. His memories would have died with him.

Luckily the JDC has somehow found him and even brought me to him! It is truly magical to think about this seemingly absurd connection, that of an 87 year old Kazakhstani man and a 20 year old American college student. He worked in a factory for almost 50 years and has never known what its like to sit on a toilet inside the warmth of his own home –needless to say we’ve had very different life experiences. I am so fortunate to have heard this man sing his favorite Yiddish song and I know I will never forget him as long as I live. I will be sure to tell my children about him and teach them to never forget the very real needs of Jews in the most obscure corners of the earth. Now that the JDC has opened my eyes, I will never shut them again and want to do everything I can to continue to help my people in need all over the world.

We started our shabbat like our previous days in Almaty­ with a breakfast of hot cereal with too much butter. Today’s cereal was made out of rice. And while we don’t all like the cereal it’s not moaning. It’s giggling.

About the butter.

And about the fact that some of us have started to crave the protein bars we packed.

Even the Kazakhstani kids laugh about it. There are silent looks across the table saying “really though, that’s a plate full of butter” and the giggles erupt again.

You’d think that the language barrier would be a problem, but the laughing makes little cracks in that problem.

Afterwards we move on to Torah study with Rabbi Brian. It’s special because we’re doing it all together – American students, Kazakhstani students and staff. Rabbi Brian expresses concerns that the discussion, regarding the meaning of Jewish words and ideas of listen, hear, love and loving G-d. But in the translation we’re forced to discuss the meanings of English words into Russian. And Russian back into Hebrew. We have long talks about loving actively and passively. And wearing or not wearing Jewish stars. About how we express our “Jewishness.”

We don’t all necessarily agree on everything. But we find common ground.

And the language barrier cracks a little more.

Before lunch we have Makabiatta games. We form two teams with Americans and Kazakhstanis on both. Our team can’t decide on a chant so we go with “Nyet Spah-siba! Nyet Spah-siba!” – “No Thank you! No Thank you!” And on the field we find common ground. Our volleyball teams play valiantly. Justin turns out to be the most talented hula hooper we have ever seen. I let the team down on a jump roping competition, but absolutely none of us are good darts. By the last challenge, of “making a shape out of people,” both teams are laughing too much to tighten up but our team makes a very impressive dinosaur.

And by the end of the games we are  laughing.

Loud.

In hugs.

In victory dances.

In sad faces when we lose a challenge.

In our dragon.

In both teams laughing at our ridiculous cheers. “Hoo! Ha! Hoo! Ha! No Thank you! No Thank you!”

And when we start pouring bottles of water over each other in victory.

And I’ve been on these trips before. I’m an alumni. And I’ve worked for a Hillel.

I know that group trips bond.

I know that some things don’t need translating.

But I can honestly say that I’ve never laughed like this.

With hugs and high fives.

And whispers between new friends, of broken jokes and quotes.

And magen davids dancing on necks as bodies shake in fits of giggles

Click here for photos from our first few days in Kazakhstan.

group shot at the Kazakhstan museum

home visit with JDC client

Click here for links to some of our pictures from Kiev! 

Cornell Hillel with Shalom Aleichem statue in Kiev

group shot in Kiev

Rachel, Mollie and Gabi

Melanie and Martha

Day 3: we have been doing service work in the mornings which has been really fun and a great opportunity to interact with local peers. Language barrier has been tough, but we have been able to communicate, a bit. It’s been pretty chilly since we arrived and rained a lot last night. Stopping in kiev was great and was a nice addition to the trip. Looking forward to visiting local sights and particpating in more activities. Cell phone service is better than in the states, who would have ever guessed!
From Kaz: Jake Dunn

We arrived in Almaty, Kazakhstan yesterday and have had a great two days here. 15 Kazakstani peers have joined our group, becoming full participants in our program of service, learning and face to face encounters with Jews from across the world.

During our 8 hour layover in Kiev, we learned about the important work of the JDC throughout the former Soviet Union, going to home visits of clients, and experienced a powerful memorial service at the site where the Babi Yar massacre happened during the Holocaust.

Pictures and reflections from student participants will be posted soon!

Day 1 – Kiev as told by Martha Rabkin (Sr)

Today was a whirl wind of emotions. We arrived in Kiev and were greeted by a lovely woman who took us to a traditional Ukrainian meal complete with hummus and lots and lots of food! We then visited important spots in the city. The most moving location was Babi Yar, the site of a 2 day massacre during WWII in which 33,000 Jews were brutally murdered. As we walked down to the ravine where the massacre took place a small boy somberly played the violin. We had a beautiful service where we read accounts of survivors, lit candles, and tossed red flowers into the ravine. It was hard to imagine that such a peaceful woods could lay host to such cruelty. Many members of our trip have Jewish roots in Ukraine or in surrounding areas creating a special connection with this terrifying event. We then visited Jewish families that received assistance from JDC. I met a lovely little boy, Pavel, who loved soccer and the Beatles and couldn’t wait to go to a JDC sponsored camp. It was nice to see how a life could be improved by the care and love of JDC and the surrounding Jewish community. All in all it was an inspiring and amazing 8 hours in Ukraine and we’re all excited to get to Kazakhstan!

There’s still more of us!

Sasha Baych

Hi guys, my name is Sasha. I was born in Chernovitz Ukraine and immigrated to the US when I was 4 years old. I have lived in New York City ever since. I finished my undergraduate (university) degree in Cornell studying Policy Analysis and Management.
I love to travel and volunteer. Over the course of my college years I traveled to Israel and through JDC I went to volunteer in Dnepropetrovsk Ukraine. Also, after I finished University I volunteered in Israel for 6 months teaching English in Ashdod (a coastal city in Israel). I had an amazing experience and would love to share my stories.

Since I came back to the US I began my law degree. I recently finished my first year in Law School and have two more left to go.  When I am not studying I love meeting new people, exploring cafes in Brooklyn (NYC), and reading. 

I am very excited about this program and meeting all of you in Kazakhstan and making new friends from the Cornell group!!!
I am also fluent in Russian so I’m definitely excited to practice that on our trip!

See you guys soon!

Justin Zupnick

Justin is currently studying media communication and digital music technology at Cornell.  A musician himself (guitar, vox, and whatever the computer may allow), he loves the blues, jazz, soul, and afrobeat music. He’s been working in the music industry through different roles for the last four years. He also loves fitness, farmer’s markets, and traveling.

Ethan Prosnit

Ethan is a third year rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City.  Born in Toronto, Canada, Ethan moved to NYC and then spent his formative years in Fairfield, CT. Ethan graduated with a BA in African History and a Masters in Teaching from Clark University in Worcester, MA. Ethan has taught eleventh grade United States History and coached boys tennis in the Worcester Public School. Prior to applying to rabbinical school, Ethan worked for three years at Tufts University Hillel, organizing the Shabbat and Holiday programming as well as traveling on Alternative Break programs with AJWS and the JDC to Israel, Central America, Kazakhstan, Rwanda, and Argentina. Ethan is excited to head back to Kazakhstan with the JDC and see the development of the Jewish Community in Almaty and of course eat some delicious borscht.

Melanie Pasch

Hi! My name is Melanie Pasch and I’m about to begin my junior year at Cornell. I am double majoringin Near Eastern Studies and Spanish with a minor in Jewish Studies. Jewish doesn’t just describe myminor field of study, but rather my life in so many ways. I am the grandchild of four Holocaust survivorsand grew up in a strong Zionist household –to say I am passionate about my Jewish identity is anunderstatement. I worked for AIPAC last summer in its headquarters in Washington D.C. and am theVice President Political of CIPAC (Cornell Israel Public Affairs Committee). I absolutely love to travel andplan on spending the spring semester in Buenos Aires, Argentina researching Latin American Jewishidentity and the Latin American perspective on issues in the Middle East. I have participated in servicetrips to Costa Rica and Chile, but have yet to go on a distinctly Jewish service trip so I am very excited toget to Kazakhstan!

Joanna Lieberman

Joanna Lieberman grew up in Los Angeles, California where she was actively involved in Habonim Dror and United Synagogue Youth throughout her childhood. Joanna graduated from Cornell University in 2007 with a Bachelors of Science in Human Development and Concentration in Cognitive Development. Joanna is currently the Leadership & Board Services Coordinator at AJC (American Jewish Committee). Prior to joining AJC, Joanna was a Senior Research Analyst in the Manhattan office of marketing research firm, Marketing Evolution. Joanna spent 10 months living and working in Tel Aviv after graduating from Cornell. Since returning stateside, Joanna maintains her connection with the Jewish Community, more recently as a Dor Hemshech (Next Generation) participant in “A Journey with Herzl”, a program of the World Zionist Organization and as Chair of the Cornell Jewish Connection – New York City. Joanna is also a marathoner and dreams of one day completing the Jerusalem Marathon.

Sabrina Moroz

Hello! My name is Sabrina and I’m a rising junior from Baltimore, Maryland. I am majoring in Biological Engineering and minoring in Law and Society. I am first generation American, with my entire family being from Kiev, Ukraine, so I can speak Russian pretty well. At Cornell, I teach Latin Israeli Dance and do community service in our service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega. I love to listen to music, dance, and watch old movies. I had so much fun last year on this trip to Ukraine, and cannot wait to meet you all!

Brian Fink

A life-long Cleveland Browns fan, Brian grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and was very active in NFTY, the national Reform youth group, participating in URJ Kutz Camp and working for two summers at OSRUI summer camp in Wisconsin.  After attending college at Tulane University and developing a love for New Orleans Jazz, Brian moved to Brooklyn, participated in the Avodah: Jewish Service Corps, and advocated on behalf of disadvantaged New Yorkers at the Urban Justice Center legal non-profit in Manhattan.  He was ordained as a rabbi in June 2011 from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Philadelphia, and while in school, studied for a year in Israel, worked at a number of synagogues, served as a chaplain for hospital patients, and was the rabbinic intern at the University of Delaware Hillel.  Brian and his fiancée Aileen are very excited to be in Ithaca, NY, and look forward to getting to know the Cornell Hillel community.  He would love to learn about your plans to change the world.

Debbie Vishnevsky

Jacob Dunn

Professional Activities:

Jake is a financial advisor in the Global Private Client Group in Merrill’s flagship office in downtown Manhattan.  He joined Merrill Lynch in 2008.

Education and Training:

Jake graduated with a B.S. from the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University in 2006.   Before joining Merrill Lynch, Jake spent over 12 years working in the restaurant and hospitality industry after his first job in a fish store at age 12.   He worked for a catering company from 2001 through 2008 as a private chef, bartender, server, and party leader.  In Las Vegas, he was the beverage manager for China Grill  and managed several other restaurants in New York City and New Jersey.  During summer 2004, he studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, France, completing the basic culinary and pastry courses.

In 2008, Jake made the transition into the financial services industry, joining the Dunn Kamhi Group.  He continues his love of working  and networking with people and making a positive difference in their lives.   He is Series 7 and 66 registered and has a Life and Health Insurance license.  Jake received the Certified Retirement Planning Counselor professional designation in the spring of 2010.  Jake recently passed his Certified Financial Planner designation in March of 2010.

Personal Profile:

Jake was born in New York City  and was raised in South Orange, NJ.  He currently lives in the financial district of Manhattan.

Hobbies:

Cycling – Jake did his first 100 mile ride during the Labor Day weekend in 2009 with a environmental sustainability organization called Hazon and continues to cycle during the fall, summer, and spring seasons.

Sake – Jake spent a year developing one of the most progressive sake programs in Las Vegas while working for China Grill.  He continues to enjoy learning about sake and different brewers, and hosted an event, “Intro to Sake Class” with his alumni society.

Wine – Jake cultivated a love for wine while working in restaurants over the years.  He completed 2 wine courses while at Cornell, and tries to find new and interesting vineyards and winemakers.

Snowboarding – Jake has snowboarded in Whistler, British Columbia, Utah, New Mexico, Vermont, New York, and more than half of the mountains in Colorado.  He tries to go at least once a year.

Traveling – Jake has traveled to many states in the U.S., the Caribbean, Vancouver, Israel, Europe, Argentina, and Eastern Europe, including his Great Grandfather’s hometown, Zhitomir, in the Ukraine.  His next travel endeavors include Southeast Asia and China