Taglit is the most successful educational project with 20 years of history. Its goal is to acquaint young people from all over the world who are of Jewish origin with the heritage of Jewish culture, traditions, and the life of modern Israel. Over the years of Taglit’s activity, more than 800 thousand people from 68 countries have visited Israel.
Early in the morning of February 24, 2022, a Taglit group from Ukraine, comprised of 15 Ukrainian nationals aged 28 to 34 and having completed their sojourn to Israel, arrived at the Tel Aviv international airport, completed their check in, and were preparing to board the aircraft for what was expected to be just another smooth trip back home. However, fate would not have it for this band of brothers and sisters, as they were cruelly informed that war had gripped their nation and that the skies over Ukraine were closed to all but military aircraft.
Upon receiving such news, the Taglit participants were initially returned to a hotel in Tel Aviv and were thereafter relocated to Bat Yam. There they spent their remaining days in Israel both absorbing the unfolding events back home whilst also preparing for the hard days to come. The Taglit organizers, continued looking after their charges with diligence and care during this time, and the group was thus sustained and remained in Israel for one month after the war started.
Of course, the lives of these young people have been changed forever, and these were but the first steps on the path of the altered trajectories of their lives, first and foremost, of course, for their families. As one would expect, all contacted their loved ones daily and even hourly, as the situations for some families were changing minute by minute during the chaos and upheaval of war. They were constantly scouring all available sources of news, and the situation seemed especially difficult for those who had left children behind.
During this period, one Taglit participant lost his home whilst another participant’s relatives fled abroad. But the rest had something and somebody to return to, they were led by love. Some of the participants returned to Ukraine. Someone stayed to protect, someone to save, someone to help and volunteer.
Taglit as an organization also could not stand idly by. From the first days of the war, former participants and leaders of Taglit, together with a partner in Ukraine, Hillel CASE, organized a volunteer center for humanitarian assistance to Ukrainians, in particular, low-income and large families. At first, the project consisted of 25 participants but has since grown to 60 as the number of those willing to help continuously grew.
The organizer of the center from Hillel, Yevgeny Khorzhevsky, says, “There were no problems with the organizational processes – the guys had a great desire to help, and we have many areas where we can use our volunteers. We do not force anyone to do anything – it’s all voluntary, driven by a sense of purpose, dedication, and love.”
Volunteer Anastasia Suprun recalls the beginning of work in the following way: “I was added to the Telegram chat, where information was posted regarding the logistics for the distribution of the food packages. The guys and I were quickly able to set up a conveyor process where everyone both understood and was responsible for their position in the distribution channel.” In the first month of the project, in such a way it was possible to collect food for 200 families from different parts of Ukraine.
“After the distribution and delivery of kits, the members returned inspired by the various stories of the people helped, and thus continuously motivated to do good deeds. This is a great result both for the organization and for the volunteers who have the opportunity for personal self-realization by helping address the poverty, illness and destruction wrought by the way, and through this they will gain more confidence in their ability to make a difference”, says Yevgeny Khorzhevsky.
During the work, the volunteers received a lot of feedback from grateful Ukrainians. Here is but a single example:
“I am a mother of three children, we live with a disabled mother, and we were left practically without any means of survival after this war started. During this difficult time, your organization helped us tremendously. We are very grateful to you for the all the invaluable help given to our family including the hygiene products and the diapers for my mother, and such help was delivered by such sincere people in your organization. Thanks to everyone involved in this effort! God bless you and good health!”
The volunteer project continues its activities.
“We are always open to new faces, working hands, sincere smiles, and interesting ideas! No matter in which city of Ukraine you are located, or no matter where you may be temporarily located starting a new life – join us! If not us, then who? If not now, then when?” Evgeny calls.
In the future, Taglit plans to develop and implement other similar projects, and when it will be possible for young Ukrainians to once again travel abroad, Taglit will attempt to organize trips for them to and from Poland.
Taglit is not only about the opportunity to visit the historical homeland, it is also a bridge between the two lands, the two states, and the two cultures of Ukraine and Israel which allows immersion and a rich exchange of experiences, concepts, realities, and applied solutions. This opportunity allowed young Ukrainians to discover the close community structure existing in Israel as this nation was built and still stands on a high degree of volunteer activity that exists both for the common good of the people as well as for the survival of the nation.
Taglit is also sincerely invested in the notion that peace will soon ensue, that the usual and quiet life will once again be available to all, and that travel on the bridge between these 2 nation-states will once again be used. When that vision comes to be, and those travelers between the two nations will once again be able to travel without the fear of the drumbeat of war.
