(Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Krivoi Rog, Donetsk, and Kyiv) Report of a ...

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large back yard of the hesed. Many of the families served by JDC are single-parent
families in which the custodial parent is under enormous stress, said Ms. Saprykina.
A Jewish community center program focusing on children and youth includes a youth
club attracting about 100 teens, Israeli dancing, and informal Jewish education.
Kabbalat Shabbat programs draw about 70 participants. Family Shabbatons are held
twice each year. Additionally, all Jewish holidays are celebrated. A Purimspiel
attracted about 400 local Jews, both seniors and youngsters. JDC was instrumental in
obtaining use of a once-empty building on its grounds and in arranging for students to
clean and renovate it. Ms. Saprykina expressed hope that Hillel would organize in
Donetsk, using that structure as its base. 77
Rabbi Vishedski has been helpful to JDC in all of its Jewish renewal programs, Ms.
Saprykina said. In response to a question, she said that World Jewish Relief, the
British organization, finances a large portion of the humanitarian aid extended by JDC
through the hesed.
One of the most critical problems for JDC in the area, said Ms. Saprykina, is the small
size and the condition of the building that it uses; however, she believes it is unlikely
that new quarters will be secured. The city enables use of the premises without charge,
as long as it is used for social purposes. The building contains no elevator; thus,
programs for older people are confined to the ground floor. Offices and activity space
for youth are on the second floor.
Krivoi Rog (Krivyy Rih, Krivyy Rig)
Although the previous Ukrainian government strongly encouraged the Ukrainianization
of all Ukrainian place names, the Russian name of Krivoi Rog has continued to be more
commonly used than is Krivyy Rih, the Ukrainian equivalent. The city was founded in
the 17th century as a Cossack village, but expanded rapidly in the late 19th century
following discovery and exploitation of high-grade iron ore deposits in the area. Krivoi
Rog stretches some 130 kilometers (81 miles) in length, connecting numerous mining
sites, some of them now inactive. Production of iron and steel, chemicals, and
engineering equipment dominate its economic base. Krivoi Rog is located approximately
136 kilometers southwest of Dnipropetrovsk. Its general population in
2011 is about 668,000.
The Jewish population of the city is estimated by local Jews to be between 7,000 and
10,000. The extreme linear nature of Krivoi Rog has impeded development of a sense
of community among local Jews.
77 See page 71.