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Jewish charity's roadtrip to Moldova
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| A convoy of 11 volunteers set off for Moldova on Sunday |
Think of classic road trips and the American highway Route 66 in an open topped Cadillac comes to mind - not the pot-holed roads of Moldova in a van.
Nonetheless, last Sunday a convoy of 11 volunteers set off for the eastern European state, hoping to do their part to help isolated Jewish communities.
Through the charity World Jewish Relief (WJR), the group will drive to Moldova to distribute humanitarian aid and then donate the vans.
Each volunteer - six from Barnet borough - raised at least £5,000 before the trip.
For Daniel Drukarz, 47, of Cheyne Walk, Hendon, the expedition holds a personal resonance.
His parents escaped Nazi Germany before the outbreak of World War Two, when they were brought to the UK by the Kindertransport rescue mission.
He said: "My parents were given an opportunity in this country because of an organisation like WJR.
"There's a real parallel between the way they were provided with a safe haven and welfare in this country and the way WJR can provide real, solid help on the ground in other countries."
According to WJR, many Jews in Moldova live in remote villages, unable to access services, particularly healthcare.
"These are communities that have suffered a great deal over the years," said Mr Drukarz. "They don't have the community infrastructure or support to ensure that their quality of life is sufficient."
Mother-of-four Sarah Emanuel-Holder, of Monkville Avenue, Hendon, will be doing the trip for the third time.
She said: "To help people who are living in dire poverty is so important.
"But it's also about the camaraderie of the trip and meeting people in the community you're helping. You don't want gratitude - although you do get it - but when you meet the community you see the difference it makes."
8:21am Tuesday 13th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Petru Clej, Whetstone on 11:53am Sat 17 May 08
I seriously doubt that "many Jews in Moldova live in remote villages, unable to access services, particularly healthcare."
Most of the Jews in Moldova live in big cities like Chisinau or Balti.
Almost all rural Jews were either killed or deported during the second world war by the pro-fascist Romanian leader Ion Antonescu.
Very few survived and even fewer returned, therefore it is impossible to have "many Jews in remote villages" in Moldova.
I seriously doubt that "many Jews in Moldova live in remote villages, unable to access services, particularly healthcare."
Most of the Jews in Moldova live in big cities like Chisinau or Balti.
Almost all rural Jews were either killed or deported during the second world war by the pro-fascist Romanian leader Ion Antonescu.
Very few survived and even fewer returned, therefore it is impossible to have "many Jews in remote villages" in Moldova.
Posted by: Rog T, Mill Hill on 5:24pm Sun 18 May 08
Petru,
Please can you clarify the point you are making here. Are you saying that there is an element of fraud involved in this charity run? Are you saying that the WJR are lying about what they are doing with the funds?
If that is what you are implying it is a serious scandal and should be investigated by the Police. If I have misinterpreted your post, please could you clarify. It is important because people may well withhold funds from WJR appeals if they feel that the money is not going where it is supposed to.
I know we have clashed on other topics here. In this case I can assure you that I am only seeking clarification of what you are saying so that people can deal with this charity appropriately. If you have unintentionally implied something you didn't intend to, or if I've read it the wrong way, I'd suggest you let us all know. As you worked on the BBC Romanian desk for 17 years this is one area where I would definately trust your judgement and defer to your greater knowledge.
Petru,
Please can you clarify the point you are making here. Are you saying that there is an element of fraud involved in this charity run? Are you saying that the WJR are lying about what they are doing with the funds?
If that is what you are implying it is a serious scandal and should be investigated by the Police. If I have misinterpreted your post, please could you clarify. It is important because people may well withhold funds from WJR appeals if they feel that the money is not going where it is supposed to.
I know we have clashed on other topics here. In this case I can assure you that I am only seeking clarification of what you are saying so that people can deal with this charity appropriately. If you have unintentionally implied something you didn't intend to, or if I've read it the wrong way, I'd suggest you let us all know. As you worked on the BBC Romanian desk for 17 years this is one area where I would definately trust your judgement and defer to your greater knowledge.
Posted by: Petru Clej, London on 4:37pm Fri 23 May 08
I have not implied anything, I have just noted that a statement in this report is factually wrong.
And please stop using "us" and speaking in other's people's name, pretending to be concerned and making insinuations.
There is a word in Yiddish for people like you - a "schwitzer" - busy bodies.
I have not implied anything, I have just noted that a statement in this report is factually wrong.
And please stop using "us" and speaking in other's people's name, pretending to be concerned and making insinuations.
There is a word in Yiddish for people like you - a "schwitzer" - busy bodies.
Posted by: Rog T, Mill Hill on 2:50pm Sat 24 May 08
Well if you haven't implied anything in your statement, what is your point?
You are the one making insinuations, which you quite clearly are not prepared to back up.
There is a word in English for people like you - "Pedant"
Well if you haven't implied anything in your statement, what is your point?
You are the one making insinuations, which you quite clearly are not prepared to back up.
There is a word in English for people like you - "Pedant"
Posted by: Tom Johnson, Hendon on 1:25pm Sun 25 May 08
Petru,
I suppose your point rests largely upon your definition of "many." From a bit of further research it seems that the rural population could be measured in the hundreds, rather than the thousands. As a proportion of the Jewish community that would make it small and as a proportion of the Moldovan population, even smaller. But given the extent of the community's deprivation, the fact that it is largely elderly, and what it has been through in the past (which you allude to in your comment), WJR's efforts do seem very worthy.
If your purpose was to question the veracity of my article, then you're probably accurate in the sense that some people might misinterpret "many" as more than hundreds. But I don't think we should allow that to detract from what is, I'm sure you would agree, a very worthy cause.
Petru,
I suppose your point rests largely upon your definition of "many." From a bit of further research it seems that the rural population could be measured in the hundreds, rather than the thousands. As a proportion of the Jewish community that would make it small and as a proportion of the Moldovan population, even smaller. But given the extent of the community's deprivation, the fact that it is largely elderly, and what it has been through in the past (which you allude to in your comment), WJR's efforts do seem very worthy.
If your purpose was to question the veracity of my article, then you're probably accurate in the sense that some people might misinterpret "many" as more than hundreds. But I don't think we should allow that to detract from what is, I'm sure you would agree, a very worthy cause.
Posted by: Petru Clej, London on 7:55pm Tue 27 May 08
Tom, please disregard the rant in the previous posting about my "insinuations", that's rubbish.
I had no intention to question WJR's good intentions or your accuracy these are in the insinuations of a perpetual busibody, self obsessed and craving for attention.
Tom, please disregard the rant in the previous posting about my "insinuations", that's rubbish.
I had no intention to question WJR's good intentions or your accuracy these are in the insinuations of a perpetual busibody, self obsessed and craving for attention.
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