As all of you might know over the past several years, Hillel of Greater Baltimore has led two highly successful student trips to Odessa. In spring, 2006, a group of students traveled to Odessa to record the histories of elderly Jewish residents, which fostered a sense of Jewish responsibility and exposed the students to richness of the global Jewish community. This past spring break, a group of 10 UMBC students traveled to Kiev and Odessa. This trip was spent connecting with many of the local
Jewish students, facilitated largely by UMBC Hillel. These two trips have sown the seeds for a deep, meaningful connection between the young adults of Baltimore and the young adults of Odessa.
So in view of the aforesaid we’ll have a pleasure to host 11 great leaders of Jewish community from Odessa in Baltimore at the end of January. Why? Because, Hillel wants to expand the connection of the Jewish students on Baltimore campuses not just to the local Baltimore community, but also
to the communities in Baltimore’s sister city of Odessa. The Odessa Connections program will expand and deepen the bond that is already forming between students active in Hillel in Baltimore and college-age young adults in Odessa. More than just a superficial exchange, this program will provide tactical skills and opportunities for students from both sides of the world to learn how to make a difference in their Jewish community, both locally and globally. This experience will enable the Odessa participants to explore the history of American Jews and Baltimore Jews in particular. The program
will also reach out to Baltimore community members, including members of the Israel and Overseas Committee, the Odessa Committee and other active Jewish professionals and lay leaders. The objective of the program is to not only forge a stronger bond between the young adults of Baltimore and Odessa, but also to teach them the skills of building and maintaining a strong Jewish community, wherever they might live. Using a facilitator, Odessa Connection will host workshops with the students to teach them leadership skills.
PARTICIPANTS FROM ODESSA JEWISH COMMUNITY:
Sasha Zlobina
(22)
Why are you interested in participating in H2H Project?
I’m young and purposeful person. I love my community and want to make it better than it is now. Odessa and Baltimore are sister-cities and I think that it is great idea to gather together and make a big project for better future of our communities!
What are you long-term professional goals?
Can’t say exactly. But I’m sure that I’ll be active and purposeful all the time. I want to know more about everything I’m interested in.
How would you use your experience in Baltimore to benefit the Jewish community of Odessa?
It’s hard to say now. I will try to get maximum information and experience for my work in Odessa.
What do you know about the Jewish community in America?
I know some information, but I’d like to see it with my own eyes. I know that Hillel in America is different; there are more Jewish organizations then in Former Soviet Union Countries. I know a lot, but it is not enough. It’s important to see and to feel this different Jewish life.
If you were required to talk about the Jewish community of Odessa, what 3 points would you make? What is the most important thing that the Jewish community in Baltimore should know about Jewish life in Ukraine?
The best way to know more about our Jewish community – is to hear the stories of Jewish people of Odessa, about the history of their families and relatives. Odessa is very “Jewish” city with very bright and interesting history. We remember and make the most of one’s past, but also it’s important to create and to build new strong community for our common future.
Do you have other thoughts or expectations about the project and/or your candidacy, which you would like to share? – It is an excellent idea, I hope, for an excellent project!
Andrew Gorozhankin
(21)
Why are you interested in participating in H2H Project?
Because I want to communicate with Jewish community, to discover new interesting things, to find new ideas for Jewish community in Odessa, to see Jewish life in USA.
What are you long-term professional goals?
My long-term professional goals wish to reach the success for the company which will help me to become successful person.
How would you use your experience in Baltimore to benefit the Jewish community of Odessa?
I will discover something new and interesting things and ideas and I will try to introduce them in Odessa.
How would you use your experience in Baltimore to benefit the Jewish community of Odessa?
I would adopt new skills and experience from our friends in order to improve the work efficiency of the Jewish community in Odessa.
What do you know about the Jewish community in America?
I know that it is the biggest Jewish community in the world, there are many Jewish people from Soviet Union.
If you were required to talk about the Jewish community of Odessa, what 3 points would you make? What is the most important thing that the Jewish community in Baltimore should know about Jewish life in Ukraine?
We have 2 synagogues, 30000 Jewish people, Jewish organizations (Joint, Sohnut, Hillel, Mikdal etc.) makes very interesting and remarkable Jewish holidays, seminars, trainings. We have a lot of interesting projects in Odessa, Jewish youth have many ideas. In Ukraine Jewish community celebrate holidays together.
Do you have other thoughts or expectations about the project and/or your candidacy, which you would like to share?
I would like to improve Odessa Jewish community, and to improve relations between Jewish organizations in Odessa.
Olga Shwartsman
(23)
Why are you interested in participating in H2H Project?
I’ve been an active member of Hillel youth club for quite a long time and taken part in a lot of activities, and I’m highly interested in the development of the Jewish organization and exchanging experience.
What are you long-term professional goals?
Actually I’m an achiever and I’d like to get a good career in business, besides I’m also a teacher in the Maritime Academy, and I’m also working on my thesis.
What do you know about the Jewish community in America?>
I’m aware that it’s huge and very united.
If you were required to talk about the Jewish community of Odessa, what 3 points would you make? What is the most important thing that the Jewish community in Baltimore should know about Jewish life in Ukraine?
Close, interesting, promising (and 4th- fun!)
Do you have other thoughts or expectations about the project and/or your candidacy, which you would like to share?
I’d like to get further knowledge about the community itself and about its life in a different country.
Artem Gurevych
(18)
Why are you interested in participating in H2H Project?
I am interested in participating, because I want to see Jewish life in US, get some new knowledge, improve my leadership skills.
What are you long-term professional goals?
I would like to finish my university, and of course get new knowledge from other sources. Then just work for my surrounding and for myself.
How would you use your experience in Baltimore to benefit the Jewish community of Odessa?
First of all I would like to watch on Jewish community in Baltimore (young generation and religious people) and to provide new system here, or just correct our own.
What do you know about the Jewish community in America?
I have some friends in America, so they told me something about Jewish community in America. For example I Know, that synagogues have big power there and a lot of other Jewish centers connected with them.
If you were required to talk about the Jewish community of Odessa, what 3 points would you make? What is the most important thing that the Jewish community in Baltimore should know about Jewish life in Ukraine?
Ukraine communities ( and Odessa also) have some problems. For example we have 2 synagogues which have divided between the friend a community. Also we have more then 5 organizations for young people.
Do you have other thoughts or expectations about the project and/or your candidacy, which you would like to share?
I would like to see how students in Baltimore Hilel live, what the do there. Also I would like to see synagogues, student life.
Olena Belska
(20)
Why are you interested in participating in H2H Project?
Experience exchange between Baltimor and Odessa Hillel, to know more about Jewish life in Baltimore
What are you long-term professional goals?
To get an education, to devolop myself as a human being.
What do you know about the Jewish community in America?
There are Hillels at universities, every university can have each own Hillel. Jewish community is more developed than in Ukraine.
If you were required to talk about the Jewish community of Odessa, what 3 points would you make? What is the most important thing that the Jewish community in Baltimore should know about Jewish life in Ukraine?
We all are good friends in Hillel
We know how to organize a lot of social actions of the Odessa city, including different festsivals nd competitions
We learn Hebrew language and Jewish culture
Do you have other thoughts or expectations about the project and/or your candidacy, which you would like to share?
It will be a good experience, I will try to do my best on this trip.
Andrey Perchekliy
(24)
Why are you interested in participating in H2H Project?
It is a change to exchange experience and find new interesting people.
What are you long-term professional goals?
To finish university and use my knowledge.
How would you use your experience in Baltimore to benefit the Jewish community of Odessa?
In our programs and for creating something new.
What do you know about the Jewish community in America?
Everybody in Hillel knows about it 
If you were required to talk about the Jewish community of Odessa, what 3 points would you make? What is the most important thing that the Jewish community in Baltimore should know about Jewish life in Ukraine?
Business (there are a lot of businessmen, who are Jewish and we can interest them in creating a better community); Friendship and relationship (maximizing number of Jewish people, meeting new interesting friends and creating new young families); Parties (Hillel parties on every Jewish holiday are the best, me and my friends like them very much and invite a lot of people there).
Do you have other thoughts or expectations about the project and/or your candidacy, which you would like to share?
Yes. Some business ideas.
Anastasiya Dyskina
(24)
Why are you interested in participating in H2H Project?
have a new knowledge and experience about Jewish community
new friends and partners in Global Jewish leadership
new connection ~ America vs. Ukraine
What are you long-term professional goals?
- to publish scientific papers
- to defend dissertation
- to take business lectures and seminars
How would you use your experience in Baltimore to benefit the Jewish community of Odessa?
New plans and thoughts how to develop and grow Jewish community of Odessa.
If you were required to talk about the Jewish community of Odessa, what 3 points would you make? What is the most important thing that the Jewish community in Baltimore should know about Jewish life in Ukraine?
1. Jewish community creates a lot of programs, seminars, celebrations, sportive activities for development of Jewish Spirit.
2. new contacts between Jewish in friendship.
3. new way of communication between Jewish people.
Do you have other thoughts or expectations about the project and/or your candidacy, which you would like to share?
learn, explore, give, connect, grow
Dmitriy Gelfand
(24)
Why are you interested in participating in H2H Project?
I want to meet with Baltimore Jewish community, to learn their projects and to get the experience about leading in Jewish life.
What are you long-term professional goals?
To become a leader and organizer of Jewish life in Odessa.
How would you use your experience in Baltimore to benefit the Jewish community of Odessa?
I believe that my trip and communication experience with Jewish people of Baltimore will help me to make the Jewish community life in Odessa more productive, colorful and interesting.
What do you know about the Jewish community in America?
I know very few and suppose to know more.
If you were required to talk about the Jewish community of Odessa, what 3 points would you make? What is the most important thing that the Jewish community in Baltimore should know about Jewish life in Ukraine?
Jewish programs in Odessa cover many areas of life of the community, but I want to highlight the MIgdal Community Center, Hillel student organization and Chesed volunteer organization.
Do you have other thoughts or expectations about the project and/or your candidacy, which you would like to share?
No, I don’t.
Jenya Popova
(24)
Why are you interested in participating in H2H Project?
For the time I’ve been a student of Odessa Hillel I have found a lot of interesting about this organisation.
For my opinion – this is the most wonderful thing that can happen with a person, who is looking for himself and the ways of his expressing. In fact, I am very interested in – what is Hillel in America, actually in the motherland of all the Hillels. What is the difference between american organization and Hillels in the former USSR? What is the point of their existance? What are the goals of American Hillels? I want to find the answers for the questions by participating in the H2H project. Besides, I am very interested – what is the Jewish community in America and what is the place of the youth in it today?
What are you long-term professional goals?
Actually, I work at Odessa city council and provide preparing Odessa for holding the European football championship in 2012 (EURO-2012). Such high-level event is a unique chance for the city to develop itself for the high-quality new level, this is the chance for us and our children to live in the european city with the well-developed infrastracture. And I am very glad that I can contribute all my best to the Odessa future. Those are my goals for the next 4 years – to lead our city to the level of european capitals, leaving, such way, an estimable heritage for my next generation.
How would you use your experience in Baltimore to benefit the Jewish community of
Odessa?
First of all, I would like to compare jewish youth in Baltimore with ours – not by comparing who is better, but to try to lead the paralels – what is common, where are the differences, what are these differences based on etc. If I’ll see, that there is something, that can be taken over as a positive experience – I’ll do it with the great pleasure. Particularly, I am conserned about how does community in America extends, how attracts the new members etc. Also I am interested in the questions of finansing the community and Hillels.
What do you know about the Jewish community in America?
I must confess I do not know a lot. America is a multinational country and logically I think, that in american jewish community one can find the representatives of various jewish etnic divisions – Ashkenazi Jews, Sephardic Jews – the two biggest groups, as well as smaller numbers of Mizrahi Jews, Ethiopian Jews, Indian Jews and others from various smaller Jewish ethnic divisions. The Jewish community in America, therefore, manifests a wide range of Jewish cultural traditions, as well as encompassing the full spectrum of religious observance, from the ultra-Orthodox Haredi communities to Jews who are entirely secular and atheist. In spite of the differences Jewish community in America is united and joined.
If you were required to talk about the Jewish community of Odessa, what 3 points would you make? What is the most important thing that the Jewish community in Baltimore should know about Jewish life in Ukraine?
First of all, I would like to mention, that Jewish community in Ukraine is well developed and varios – one can find and choose any direction of activity. Young leaders of the jewish people can express themselves in different areas – whether it would be taking part as madrihims in summer camps, theatre activities. They can be involved in the community life by working with children in Chabad, working as volunteer with the people under care of Chesed. A big number of jewish organizations exist in our city (the biggest in CIS community center is located in Odessa) – both religious and social – which are orientated for different goals and people. Everyone can find something for himself.
Secondly I would say that Odessa jewish community take a good care about the intellectual potential of the next generation. For this purpose a World league of Jewish Intellectual games was founded in Odessa and at the time it functions successfully. By the way – Odessa Hillel also contribute to the development of the intellectual potential of jewish youth. In 2007 and 2008 we organized intellectual championships (festivals) – more than 15 teams from the different regions of CIS participated. For this year the champion was the team of Odessa Hillel, I also was one of the winners (I was the member of our team).
At last I should say that Odessa Jewish Community is rather religious. Coming to sinagogue for shabbat one can see a lot of youth and this is especially important mentioning that more than for 70 years odessa jews were separated from their religion, their roots.
Do you have other thoughts or expectations about the project and/or your candidacy, which you would like to share?
I want to share my ideals and beliefs with American Jewish youth. I want to make this trip useful not only for me, but for all of the people, who’ll take part in it.
Iryna Tripulska
(23)
Why are you interested in participating in H2H Project?
I’d like to find out more about Jewish culture, to meet young Jewish people.
What are you long-term professional goals?
I want to reach success in banking, as I’m working in a bank.
How would you use your experience in Baltimore to benefit the Jewish community of
Odessa?
I’m sure the week in Baltimore will open new ways of thinking for me and will give me more knowledge about Jewish life, which I can share with other young people from Odessa .
What do you know about the Jewish community in America?
Actually, I don’t know many things about and I’d like to find out more.
If you were required to talk about the Jewish community of Odessa, what 3 points would you make? What is the most important thing that the Jewish community in Baltimore should know about Jewish life in Ukraine?
Jewish community in Odessa is very well-developed. And it helps Jewish people to learn more about Jewish culture.
Do you have other thoughts or expectations about the project and/or your candidacy, which you would like to share?
I hope it will open to me the door to new possibilities.
Oleg Chernenkii
(18)
Why are you interested in participating in H2H Project?
I participate in H2H project because it gives me a chance to meet interesting people, receive some useful information about the Jewish community in Baltimore, to prove that I’m the leader with big plans to develop my community.
How would you use your experience in Baltimore to benefit the Jewish community of Odessa?
I don’t know how yet, but I know why. My Jewish life is a part of Odessa Jewish Community. And I will make our community better and automatically my life become well too. Successful people – successful community.
What do you know about the Jewish community in America?
Not much. I know that Hillel in USA is in every University. Hope I’ll find out a lot from this project.
If you were required to talk about the Jewish community of Odessa, what 3 points would you make? What is the most important thing that the Jewish community in Baltimore should know about Jewish life in Ukraine?
Jewish Community in Odessa in friendly, active and successful.
Do you have other thoughts or expectations about the project and/or your candidacy, which you would like to share?
To get some useful information, to get acquainted with interesting people, to know more about Baltimore Jewish Community and about USA also.
