A Jewish businessman from Munich abandoned his work for a week in order to volunteer to help the Israeli army and residents of the southern Israel during Operation Protective Edge.
Michael Yudanin, who is also president of the European Forum of Russian-speaking Jewry, left his international business projects and arrived in Israel last week to personally deliver presents to IDF soldiers as well as special gifts that were collected by Munich's Jewish community "Sinai Schule" to children living in southern Israel.
Yudanin used a rental truck to deliver personal items for soldiers as well as blankets, food items, and toys for residents of Ashkelon and other cities near the Gaza border.
"The soldiers have everything, but sometimes they just need you to give them a hug and tell them that Jews in the Diaspora are worried about them and wish them health and success,’’ he said.
‘’ It's just as important for us to also support regular citizens and especially kids. It's important not to just send them gifts or money from abroad but to come here yourself in order to meet them and give ther a big hug," he added.
“I want to thank many incredible people that helped and inspired me deeply, including Deputy Mayor of Ashkelon Alik Soltanovich, and Deputy Interior Minister Faina Kirschenbaum, a force of sheer energy and willpower who performs a multitude of tasks and safe-guards the wellbeing of each and every Israeli.’’
The first vice president of the World Forum Dr. Dmitry Schiglik, also arrived in Israel where he met Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, infiorming about financial aid collected by American and Canadian Russian-speaking Jews that will go towards upgrading bomb shelters in southern Israel.
Over the course of Operation Protective Edge, the World Forum of Russian-speaking Jewry carried out several projects at the initiative of its president,Alexander Levin, including helping residents of the South.
The World Forum has also organized a number of pro-Israel rallies in Melbourne, Australia and has provided support for the Israel advocacy campaign in the US, Canada, Europe and Australia.