About Hesed
Zhitomir is a city of long Jewish history, a magnificent jewel of the world Jewish community, alive historic memory. Being relatively small Zhitomir Region was fated to become one of the largest Jewish centers. David Shterenberg the founder of modern art lived and worked here. A legendary Jewish printing -house, Jewish Teachers Training Institute, the first in Russia Jewish vocational school were set up in Zhitomir. The history of the city is connected with the names of classical Jewish authors - Mendele-Moikher Sphorim, Sholom-Aleikhem, Khaim-Nakhman Byalik.
To revive Jewish culture and traditions in Zhitomir Region, to render assistance to vulnerable groups of the Jewish population - children risk group, sick, elderly and poor people of Jewish origin and their family members, the Righteous of the World in the City of Zhitomir and Zhitomir Region Hesed Shlomo Welfare Jewish Center, one of the first in Ukraine , was set up in 1996 with the assistance of American Jewish Distribution Center Joint. For the majority of them Hesed staff help is really of vital importance. More than 20 Hesed programs have been recently operating in the big region of 29,9 thousand square kilometers. In all weathers inhabitants of 87 cities and towns are provided with necessary medicines, food, personal hygiene belongings etc. by Hesed staff.
Social services for Nazi victims have been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.