Shabbat in Kharkov!

Hi everyone!
Nothing beats Shabbas in a foreign country, that's for sure. Something about the difference in culture but how constant all of our traditions are is just incredible to me. That we can speak entirely different languages, lead completely different lives on the opposite side of the world yet when the sun sets we all have at least one thing in common- we are Jews!
Last night, we brought in Shabbat at the JСС in Kharkov. The building itself is beautiful (it was designed to look like Jerusalem!), but what I remember most about the evening was saying prayers in Hebrew to the same tune. I felt this amazing connection to our peers simply through the fact that 6000 miles away, we still celebrate Shabbas (and other holidays, I presume) the same way. L'cha Dodi, we all sang, turned to the door, and welcomed the Shabbas Bride the way I've remembered doing it as far back as I can remember.
This morning, we took a walking tour of the city to Freedom Square, several monuments, a park and one of the last remaining synagogues from the previous regime. The walk was far and it was pretty hot outside, but I think everyone really enjoyed the trip! Lots to see here, so much history. I mean, how many people do you know that can say they've seen Kharkov, Ukraine? Not many! We definitely took advantage of the opportunity and took tons of touristy pictures.
Today we're going to start planning tomorrow's activity with local Ukrainian children, spend some time at our Hillel peers' homes and then go back to Freedom Square for a concert, followed by an end-of-shabbat party here at Hillel!
Looking forward to an even more incredible week,
Kari

Hello from Ukraine

Hey All!
Everyone met Monday night, and we left on Tuesday for Ukraine. On Wednesday we finally arrived in Kiev at noon and the group was picked up by a bus and a JDC Jewsih Service Corps Fellow in Kiev. We toured the city with her, and visited several Jewish sites. Our first stop was at Babi Yar, and that was very powerful and emotional experience. We had a small memorial at the site of the ravine and a Kiev Hillel peer told us the history of Babi Yar and a neighboring old Jewish cemetery. Next we visited the JDC Hessed (institution to help elderly Jews in need) and had lunch in the dinning hall, making that our first official Ukrainian meal. I must say we were all pleasantly surprised with the pasta and fish served, but we aren't used to the beet juice (give us a couple more days). We were able to tour the building and meet the directors of the day care, and medical center. At night we got a chance to do a walking tour of downtown Kiev, and everyone was thankful to finally get their legs moving again. For dinner we stopped at one of Kiev's Synagogue's. We then continued our tour (since the sun doesn't set until after 9 p.m) to the site of the 2004 Orange Revolution. There are many statues and fountains all representing Ukraine's independence. The square was filled with old Russian architecture and beautiful buildings, and of course a McDonald's. Go figure. That night we started our journey to Kharkov on an overnight train. We were all so exhausted at that point from non-stop traveling we all had no trouble sleeping.
Today (Thursday) was our first day in Kharkov. We were enthusiastically greeted by the Hillel students at the train station at 6 a.m. Our first stop was to the hotel where we all finally got a chance to shower. By this time, we really needed it. After the freshening up and breakfast we went to the Hillel and met the Ukrainian students that will be working with us for most of our time here. All of the students split up into four groups and in the morning we went to elderly Jewish homes. My group went to one home with with seven Hessed clients and they made us tea and cookies. They were so happy to have some visitors and company. Each group had a translator so the language barrier wasn't a problem. In the afternoon (in the same groups) we helped with apartment repairs in some elderly Jews' homes. The name of the woman my group visited is Sofia and she is 86 years old. She has people who come weekly to help cook, and clean for her, but other than that she rarely has any visitors. She lives alone, and unfortunately has no family left. She told us her life story which was inspirational to say the least. We then began painting her doors and windows. She has lived in the same apartment for the past 55 years.
Sofia was so thankful not only for our work but most of all our company, and during the paint jobs we all took turns sitting down and talking with her. When it was time to go she thanked us thousands of times and no one really wanted to go yet. Now we are back at the Hillel and just hanging out until dinner starts. I speak for everyone when I say that we are all having a wonderful experience already, and please don't worry about us! Bye for now.
Jasmine