We often hear such phrase, "I do not owe anything to anybody." But there is a question, "Does anybody owe you anything?" This is a topic for discussion but in real life everything depends on your personal position. The person can look down at somebody only if he/she has leaned to help the other person get up.


There are only a few staff members at Hesed Astana. How and when they are able to do so much. The clients have different characters, health conditions and are of different ages. How much energy is required to work with such a diverse group and cope with all the work? But for our volunteers that would be impossible.


Shabbat on December 4 coincided with the international Volunteer Day. In Hesed Astana all the team of volunteers gathered. They were addressed by Director Elena Levina with the words of gratitude and kind wishes. Mikhail Kreichman, Coordinator of Jewish Traditions Program told about the ancient traditions of Jewish people to help each other. The eldest member of our community, Liya Monastyrskaya, lit up candles. Around the beautifully laid table, our volunteers gathered including Lilya Khidekel, Zhenya Vitnina, Mira Kocherygina, and others.


There are volunteers working in every Hesed department. Svetlana Shilman would answer all questions about how pension calculations. In the library, Albina Olhovskaya and Lyudmila Tsymbalyuk would recommend you books to read and consult on new publications. All Hesed clients know the soft voice of Elena Veitsman, who would always find kind and tender words for all of us during our birthdays and in everyday life.


The holiday ended with handing in presents to all volunteers by Elena Levina, Director of Hesed Astana.

Mikhail Kreichman