Pictures on the Wall
Late August to September is the best time to harvest fruits. Our greatest ‘fruits’ are happy families who find ways to fulfill themselves in Israel and become part of it. This story is exactly about that.
In the spring of 2023, a family from Russia made aliyah through the ‘First Home in the Homeland’ programme and quickly found themselves welcomed into a supportive kibbutz community. From their very first days, they were surrounded by kindness and encouragement, which helped them complete Ulpan (Hebrew language school) successfully and begin new initiatives. Their story proves that kindness inspires kindness, and a will to help always bears fruit.
“We have been living in Israel for two years now. We are a young family—father Anton, mother Irina, daughters Margarita and Varvara, and our dog Chak-Chak. Our aliyah has exceeded all our expectations! Thanks to the ‘First Home in the Homeland’ programme, we found ourselves in a wonderful place—the Biblical Mount Gilboa(*), in the religious kibbutz Ma’ale Gilboa,” Anton shares.
“After completing the programme, their story with the kibbutz didn’t end”
Anton, Irina, Margarita and Varvara on one of their hikes | Photo: First Home in the Homeland
Anton holds a PhD degree; he used to work as a journalist and University professor. Irina worked as a journalist and an exhibition projects curator. Both of their daughters studied at the Gymnasium (editor: academic high school).
Two years ago, they came to Israel with the ‘First Home in the Homeland’ programme to the kibbutz Ma’ale Gilboa. After completing the programme, their story with the kibbutz didn’t end. They asked if they could stay a little longer, to continue actively participating in the life of the community and supporting it creatively.
“Being a creative family, we were excited to come up with the idea for a children’s art exhibition. Our small but vibrant and unique gallery took shape right on the wall of our house. The first exhibition featured drawings by children of new olim—drawings as memories of the past and reminders of the future. After the first, came the second and third exhibitions. The new artists were children from the kibbutz kindergarten. This year, our project was dedicated to the theme of the return of Israeli hostages from Gaza. Through their drawings, the boys and girls expressed emotions of compassion, sorrow, and hope. Our hearts are united, and we are all waiting for their safe return home.” Despite all the difficulties, life in Israel and on the kibbutz continues—Anton’s family is full of ideas, hopes and faith in a bright future in Israel.
“Being a creative family, we were excited to come up with the idea for a children’s art exhibition”
Anton graduated from the Ulpan (Hebrew class) for teachers and successfully passed the exam. Now he is looking for a school for an internship: “I think being a geography teacher would suit me best, and my many years of experience as a university teacher, as well as my experience in traveling and scientific expeditions will help me with this”. Irina also began additional training. Before that, she completed a medical course at MDA (Magen David Adom, the national ambulance service providing emergency medical care in Israel), and today she began classes in pedagogy. The family travels around Israel and never ceases to be amazed at how many interesting things there are in this small country. They have already visited many amazing places—from Rosh HaNikra to Eilat and many more places that they plan to visit. Each journey gives them even more inspiration and strength to move forward.
Anton and Irina have heard a lot about Christians for Israel (C4I) and conveyed the warmest words of gratitude for everything C4I does for the programme and all Jewish people around the world. Your support and prayers strengthen our families in their desire to live in the Promised Land, to build their future here and the future of their children.
We believe that the people of Israel cannot be broken, that after the rain there will always be a rainbow and together, we will overcome any challenges.
(*)Mount Gilboa is most famously mentioned in the Bible as the site of the tragic battle, where King Saul and his sons, including Jonathan, were killed. This battle marked a major turning point in Israelite history, leading to David’s rise to power.
Please support the “First Home in the Homeland” Project. Any amount is welcome! Assisting a family in the “First Home” program costs € 230 euro / US $ 250 a month.
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