European Jewish Press:
| by: Maud Swinnen | Updated: 10/Jul/2009 12:20 |
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ODESSA (EJP)---Launched ten years ago by the local Jewish community, an orphanage in Odessa, Ukraine, has experienced growth and success in recent months thanks to donations by Israeli-born US entrepreneur and philanthropist Mouli Cohen.
The
orphanage currently provides a home to 55 South Ukrainian boys and
girls whose parents were either alcoholics, drug addicts or generally
unwell. Some of the children have suffered from violence, others have
been orphaned by one of their parents and their relatives are unable to
raise them.
"These
children have no where else to go, so as a community we must continue
to support a home for them," says Rabbi Abraham Wolff, chief rabbi of
Odessa, a city where around 50,000 Jews live.
The
story of the Jewish community orphanage began in September 1999 when
the rabbi was approached by a woman who pleaded him to take her two
grandchildren.
Her
request was peculiar but her explanation was heartbreaking. She told
the rabbi: "My daughter was murdered in her yard…these are her
children, who are students in your school. With my very small monthly
pension, I am not capable of raising them, to supply them with meals or
with the necessary clothing they need. Please take them!"
The
orphanage, which provides the children with the most basic physical and
medical needs, and organizes weekly trips and events, currently employs
a team of educators, counselors, doctors and psychologists to tend to
the needs of the children.
With
the support of Mouli Cohen, an Israeli-born American entrepreneur and
philanthropist, the Jewish community would not have the resources
needed to continue to expand the orphanage and take on more children.
 'Seeing
our children attaining top positions in local and regional English and
Mathematics contests shows that our efforts are worth it', says Mouli
Cohen.
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"With
Mr Cohen’s important donations and interest for the orphanage, there
is a brighter future for the Jewish children of Odessa," stresses Rabbi
Wolff.
"It
is an absolute honor that I can be involved in any way to help the
orphanage. I have been amazed at the development of the kids and seeing
our children attaining top positions in local and regional English and
Mathematics contests shows that our efforts are worth it", says Mouli
Cohen.
Graduating
students are granted matriculation certificates recognized by the local
Ministry of Education that provides them with the option to continue
their studies in academic institutes within the Community of
Independent States or elsewhere in the world.
Mouli
Cohen founded and developed successful ventures in such sectors as
biotechnology, high technology, digital media and entertainment.
In his philanthropy activities, he provides support
to children’s charities and to medical research as well as to education
projects both in the US and abroad. (see his website at www.moulicohen.com).
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posted by: jrtelegraph
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