December, 2013

Dear friends of Russian Jewish Community Foundation.

My name is Michael Zemelman, I'm 25 years old, I was born on 11.23.1988 in the city of Chernovtsi, Ukraine in the Soviet Union. I immigrated to Israel on 05/01/1991 at the age of two and a half. When we land in Israel we moved into community that called Bney Ayish (located in the south of Israel). At the age of 8 I began studying violin at school, after two years I transferred to Petah Tikva Conservatory. At that time I won 3 times “America Israel Cultural Foundation” Scholarship. Before being drafted into the army I had a dilemma whether to go the IDF orchestra or enlist as a combat soldier, in the end I chose to enlist as a combat soldier to serve my country. I served three years in the IDF artillery corps, I was also a fighter and a medic. During the service I was also in the north border of Israel (Syria, Lebanon) and in the territories (Qalqilya, Bethlehem). I was discharged with the rank of staff sergeant.

This year I started my fourth year of studying at the College of Management in Rishon Lezion. My degree specializing is accounting. The Duration of the degree is 4 years. This year, I need to do the exams of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants and at next Sunday I am starting to do an internship of two years at "KPMG".

Due to the physical distance between my home and the college I had to go and live in Rishon Lezion. I live in a building designed for a released combat soldiers, it was built with a donation of some Jews from the United States. To live in this house I had to submit documents for the admissions committee to be accepted, the number of dwellings is limited and very few get the chance to live there for a nominal fee that paid each month.

I chose to volunteer in the organization "Latet" (to give in Hebrew), Its goal is to help Holocaust survivors. I chose to volunteer for this organization because some of my family went through the Holocaust and I feel the need to help people who survived the Second World War. Once a week I visit two Holocaust survivors, during the visits I talk to them, listening to them, helping them pass the time happily. This contribution gives me a great satisfaction.

Dear donor, I would like to thank you for your contribution. This donation helps me pay the high tuition fees (30,000 shekels). per year).

I hope that your families and community are doing well, and that you are having a good and healthy year so far.

Sincerely yours,
Michael Zemelman