It
was a bright Wednesday afternoon, July 7, 2004. We were
moved to tears as we approached and heard hundreds of
young children singing in Hebrew to welcome us. No,
this wasn't Jerusalem; it was not even Israel. We were
in the Ukraine.
Jewish
Healthcare International, a humanitarian organization
of Jewish physicians, recently sent three dentists
to the Former Soviet Union to try to initiate modern
techniques in the FSU's dentistry. Dr. Yossi Kowalsky
of Efrat was chosen along with Dr. Wally Goodard of
Ramot, and a dentist from Canada, Dr. Morton Lang,
to represent dental experts on this trip to the Ukraine.
What
was supposed to be a dental mission, a trip with the
goal of educating and expanding dental awareness both
to the local as well as the professional population
of Kiev and Odessa, turned out to be that and much
more. It was an experience we will never forget.
As
manager of our dental clinic in Efrat, and a passionate
photographer, I was lucky to be included in both these
capacities, in the mission. We spent an intense, packed
week witnessing the rebirth of Judaism in the FSU
(former Soviet Union) while contributing to the growing
Jewish population of the Ukraine.
We
visited many summer camps. Most were attended by children,
but there was even a camp for the elderly, including
many Jews who survived the World War II, and remained
in or returned to various cities and villages in the
area. At each camp, Dr. Kowalsky and colleagues gave
a brief lecture on the importance of oral hygiene.
Though our Russian was quite limited, as was their
English and Hebrew, through the skilled translation
of the counselors, the kids were spellbound by the
talk and the demonstrations of brushing and flossing.
The three dentists proceeded to examine whoever wished,
with dental instruments brought over from Israel.
The
economic situation in the Ukraine, for most is difficult.
Even the small gift of a toothbrush, dental floss,
and toothpaste was met with great enthusiasm and appreciation.
The goal was to introduce them to the importance of
everyday dental care, as well as to point out to the
children, who had more serious problems to follow
through on further treatment.
The
camp for the elderly was also a very positive experience.
We saw the same desire in the adults- to learn from
and to be examined by such well trained dental professionals.
Under normal circumstances this kind of professional
care and advice would be unavailable to these individuals.
Upon
our visit to various public health clinics in Kiev
and Odessa, we were shocked to see the lack of modern
equipment, and the limited progress in dental advances
and technology. Dr. Kowalsky, using his experience
as an instructor at the Hadassah University Dental
School, tried to teach the dentists who were willing
to learn and be open, to new and innovative ideas.
Many of these dentists are enabled to treat and care
for Jews from the city and those from more remote
villages due to the contributions and activities generated
by JHI (Jewish Healthcare International), the group
who sponsored our trip.
All
three dentists on our mission brought materials and
equipment from their stock, as well as that which
had been donated by fellow dentists and dental supply
companies. The challenge faced by the dentists was
not to insult the local professionals or the training
they have had, but to impress upon them how much more
there is to learn and instill in them the incentive
to advance in their learning and their skills.
As
moving as it was to be a part of meeting Jews who
were almost lost to our nation, we were privileged
to meet Jews from all over the world who have dedicated
their time and effort to bring these Jews, young and
old, closer to Judaism, and closer to living a life
where their medical, housing, and food needs are cared
for. These righteous Jews must live in the FSU far
from their extended families, and they do without
much of the ease and convenience we have become accustomed
to.
Beyond
the personal interactions, JHI in conjunction with
the Jewish Agency arranged for us to see Jewish historic
sites such as Babi Yar, ravine situated just outside
the city of Kiev, where thousands of Jews and non-Jews
were mass murdered during WW II. One of the highlights
of the trip was a special memorial ceremony at this
site. This ceremony was attended by survivors of that
action and by Israeli IDF soldiers who were handpicked
to be part of a broad Eastern European mission called
Edim BMadim. We had a special thrill of meeting Alon
Yaron, the son of Ben Etzion and Sarah Yaron, neighbors
of ours from Efrat, who was one of the soldiers participating
from Israel (representing his elite paratrooper unit).
There are no words to describe the feeling while standing
on soil where Jews were slaughtered, with no means
of defense, and to watch hundreds of IDF soldiers
step off the bus in their Israeli Army uniforms. We
were filled with a sense of appreciation of where
G-d has brought us!
How
did all of this come about? Through the organization,
Jewish Healthcare International. JHI is a non-profit
organization that works to enhance the quality of
healthcare services provided to communities in need
throughout the world. JHI sends teams of North American
and Israeli volunteer healthcare professionals to
train their medical counterparts in five host country
communities: Kiev, Ukraine; Kishinev, Moldova; Minsk,
Belarus; Odessa, Ukraine; and Riga, Latvia. JHI participants
teach medical techniques and procedures to local physicians,
present lectures and seminars, and serve as consultants
on numerous medical issues. In addition, JHI works
to provide medical and pharmaceutical supplies needed
to enhance the quality of medical and dental services
offered. For additional information, or to request
an application, please email JHI at jhi@jfga.org or
visit their website at www.jewishhealthcareinternational.org.
