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Page 8 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN September-October 2007 A mission to Moldova brings blessings to all By Susan N. Orloff With trepidation, this 60-year-old occupational therapist packed suitcases crammed with toys and began a journey that would actualize the Yiddish song, “Mayn Shtetle Beltz” (My Little Shtetl Beltz). It was a journey less of miles and more of visualized memories of what my Bubbie Yettie had told me of her life “back in the old country” and images of my mother, of Blessed Memory, glibly referring to herself as the “Queen of Romania.” In so many ways, I felt as if I went home. And like trips back home, it was warm, welcoming, and familiar. I almost didn’t go. I was scared and unsure about going far away to a place where I didn’t know anyone. My daughter’s good friends, the Spaldings, convinced me otherwise, and so, on faith in Hashem, off I went. Once the decision was made, it was as if instant fairy godmothers appeared in the form of Terri Bagen, Julie Kaminsky, and Natalia Alhazov. The trip was organized by Jewish Healthcare International and directed by Terri, who is a mitzvah guided by the hand of G-d. The first stop was Kishinev, a bustling city of electric streetcars and outdoor cafés. It is also home to the Kishinev Jewish Center, a large building housing a daycare center and multiple Jewish agencies, working to recreate, stimulate, and preserve Jewish life in an area of the world that was over 60% Jewish before World War II. The optimism, dedication, and hunger for information demonstrated by the staff and program participants was infectious; I was at once both the teacher and the student— learning from them about appreciating life at its roots, while re-discovering mine. Next came Tiraspol, an island of Russian rule in the middle of the country, where visas are required for entry. Now that was scary! It was as if we needed a visa to go from Buckhead to Marietta. But visas and rules and a 90-minute border delay didn’t diminish the warm reception we received from the doctors, therapists, teachers, parents, and children, Wishing You A Happy New Year From Habif, Arogeti & Wynne, LLP Certified Public Accountants and Business Advisors Glenridge Highlands Two 5565 Glenridge Connector, Suite 200 Atlanta, Georgia 30342 404-892-9651 ww w.hawcpa.com Inbar Kremer, Miri Ratson (standing), Susan Orloff, Natalia Alhazov, Brooke Zimet, and Lauren Zimet who displayed an evident love of learning. As an occupational therapist who uses games as therapy, I know that the language of play requires no interpreter, so I prepared various activities in which the children eagerly joined. Beltz was amazing, both the Jewish center and the home visits. Going to see the homes—the small, well-kept living quarters of people who are poor but proud—was heart-warming. This was the shtetl. The dirt roads, the gardens of potatoes, and kitchens smaller than most of our guest bathrooms awed me as I remembered my bubbie’s “struddle and milikah”—how did she do it in such a small place? I could close my eyes and see Shabbos of 100 years ago in these humble, well-loved little homes. Camp was another experience—I taught baseball, one of my favorites—and both children with and without disabilities played together. Although all the games were “tied”—courtesy of a little rigging on my part—clearly, I felt like the winner. My mission-mates were outstanding. We became more than colleagues—we formed friendships that I am sure will last. We learned so much from one another. Lauren Zimet expanded my vision of speech therapy, and her empathy with children, teachers, and families expanded my professionalism as well. I am lucky that she lives so close, so our relationship can con- Bennie’s Sho Bennie’s Shoes Bennie’s Shoes Susan Orloff leading a therapy group activity at summer camp retreat tinue. An extra bonus was that Lauren and I met the U.S. Ambassador to Moldova, and we are working on possibly helping him with improving healthcare conditions there. So to Lauren Zimet, the speech therapist (with her daughter Brooke—an angel and the mascot of our mission); Israeli psychologist Inbar Kremer; Israeli physical therapist Miri Ratson; Drs. Elena Deseatnicova and Octave Cenusa, who were our translators; and Natalia Alhazov, a teacher and the JHI coordinator in Moldova—I want to thank all of you for truly making the experience in Moldova one of both mitzvahs and magic! Serving Atlanta since 1912 Buckhead Buckhead Crossing • 2625 Piedmont Road (moved across Sydney Marcus) 404-262-1966 Kennesaw Bennie’s Shoes Bennie’s Shoes Bennie’s Sho Bennie’s Shoes Bennie’s Shoes Bennie’s Sho Town Center • 2700 Town Center Drive 770-955-1966 Norcross 5192 Brook-Hollow Parkway 770-447-1577 www.benniesshoes.com Bennie’s Shoes Bennie’s Shoes Bennie’s Sho Benni Bennie’s Shoes Bennie’s
September-October 2007 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 9 My wishes for the New Year I listen to the news all during the day and into the night—on the radio, on TV, in my car, in the kitchen, in my bedroom. It is a habit I need to break. I’m sick of the news! All this over-saturation has one redeeming feature—it has made me sure of what I wish for the New Year. My first wish is that I never hear of another American soldier killed in Iraq. I cry for these young boys and for their families. My next wish is for a political climate free of lies, spin, deception, and wrongdoing. May our country know truth, honor, and the respect it so richly deserves. I wish that stem cell research becomes a reality. When lives could be saved with this advance, how can the funding for it be questioned? Recently, I heard the news of an agreement to sell more arms to countries in the Middle East. How can increased arms be thought the road to peace? Every day here in Atlanta, there are Best wishes for a Happy New Year, and may all your wishes and mine come true. BY more and more shootings—families, children, young and old victims of violence. Is it too much to ask for stricter limitations on firearms? I wish that the trillions of dollars we are spending on war could be allocated elsewhere, such as on the now questioned funds for child healthcare. And while we are speaking of health, I hope for good health here at home for many friends and relatives. Lastly, in my simplistic list of dreams, I wish that Atlanta’s traffic could be helped, but I guess that is going to take Divine Intervention. Best wishes for a Happy New Year, and may all your wishes and mine come true. Katherine and Jacob Greenfi eld Hebrew Academy ! From our family to yours, wishing you a sweet and happy new year Open House Dates October 10, Wednesday, 9:45 a.m. November 7, Wednesday, 9:45 a.m. December 5, Wednesday, 9:45 a.m. January 9, Wednesday, 9:45 a.m. Carolyn Gold Contact Director of Admissions Amy Glass at 678-298-5377 or at glassa@ghacademy.org for information or to schedule a tour. Katherine and Jacob Greenfi eld Hebrew Academy of Atlanta ” 5200 Northland Drive, Atlanta, GA 30342 Phone: 404-843-9900 Fax: (404) 252-0934 Online: www.ghacademy.org
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