Fira Israilevna Koplina Born: 1925 Received: Night Gown, Medicine
Very Respected, Far Away and Unfamiliar American Friends,
Koplina, Fira Israilevna, a pensioner, veteran of labor and participant in the war is writing to you. I am very touched by your attention and care, by the fact that you found an opportunity and the good will to help us, the Jews, who are not many now in the former Soviet Union. It is a shame that we have given all our health and energy to our work. We labored with full commitment and remain in our old years in miserable condition. I am absolutely alone. I don’t have either close family or relatives. I am now 74 years old. I worked for 40 years and now I live on a very small pension out of which I have to pay the rent and to eat somehow. The most important are the medicines, without which I cannot get by. Medications are very expensive. For the money you sent me, I bought some medicine. I am very grateful to you for your help. G-d give you good health and well being.
With warmest wishes and respect, Fira Koplina
Maya Abramovna Ditnek Born: 1937 Received: 32 grivinas (about $6)
May 26, 1999
Dear American Friends,
From all my heart I thank you for your care and attention. Your attention and help gives us strength to survive this difficult time. Life is difficult. There are many expenses for food, for rent and for destitute children who expect help from me. For the money you sent me, we bought a set of linens for which I had great need. Your help gives me strength to survive. I pray G-d for you and I thank Him that people like you exist in the world. I wish you good health, happiness, well-being and all the best which could be wished to good people. I live alone in Ukraine in the town of Lubni, Poltava oblast which is a small green town. Please come visit us. My address is ul. Sovietskaya 5, kv. 22, Lubni, Ditnek, Maya Abramovna. Thank you very much for your good deeds that you have such a good heart and love for people. Let G-d help you in all your deeds and compensate you for all your good work.
With respect, Signed Maya
Naum Zinovievich Brokhin Born: 1934
Received: 32 grivinas (about $6)
Good Day to You My Far Away, Unfamiliar, But Now Very Close to Me, American Woman,
I live in Lubni together with my wife. My wife does not work and I am a pensioner. I am very sick. I had a heart attack and so I am handicapped 2nd degree. Life is difficult with large expenses for medicine, food and rent. It is very nice that out there in the world, there are people who think about us and help us. You are very special people because to help others is an ability not given to everyone. With your aid, I received medicine that I need very much and food for which I am very grateful. Your help helps me to survive. I wish you good health, happiness and well-being. Let G-d renew your days. My life is very difficult, but people like you – real Jews with a Jewish soul who are not indifferent to other Jews, meaning those who live in Ukraine – prolong our life. I live in Ukraine in the town of Lubni, Poltava oblast, a small green town. If you are in Ukraine, please visit me. ul. Privalzalnaya 17, kv. 36, Brokhin, Naum Zinovievich. Thank you for everything and good luck.
With respect, Signed Brokhin
Mikhail Isaakovich Zagermeister Born: 1921 Received: Sweat Suit, Medicine
Dear and beloved American friends,
I am almost blind. I cannot write and thus I ask our acquaintance, Lasutra, Alexander Moiseevich, to write you my thank you note. I am alone for many years. I used to be a history teacher and a chess player. My life turned in such a way, in spite of all my achievements, in spite of the fact that I am a veteran of the war and handicapped, I am now an unnecessary burden to the state and I get a little pension. Because of the vision problems, heart and stomach problems, I am forced to buy medicine which is very expensive. That is why your kindness and compassion help me live. There isn’t much left of my life. Life is difficult for a poor pensioner. So I have to get by somehow. I struggle with pessimism, low spirits and a bad mood and you help me in this struggle. I have never thought that I would be an object of help, but I see how from all your heart you do it sincerely. For me your help is a sign of compassion and commiseration. I am very grateful to you. I pray to G-d for you, for your children and grandchildren. I am very proud of you that you are such nice and good people and real Jews.
Signed, Zagermeister, Mikhail I.
Faina Borisovna Feldman Born: Oct. 18, 1923
Lev Israilovich Feldman Born: 1929
Received: Clothing
Dear American Friends,
I am Feldman, Faina Borisovna. As a poor person I received help from our community in the form of a dress and slippers. I am very sick and I have difficulty walking. Thank you very much, dear friends, for what you do for us. I wish you happiness and health. Thank you very much for your attention to us. Be Well.
All the best, Faina