During the course of his visit to Ukraine, Israeli Minister Yossi Peled arrived Friday morning to visit Alumim.
The children welcomed Minister Peled with singing and clapping. After the reception, the Minister had a personal conversation with the administrators of Alumim. He expressed great interest in the activities of the Center, the goals set by the administrators and details like the children′s daily schedule, their learning curriculum and so on.
The Minister expressed his admiration for the extraordinary humanitarian efforts taking place in Alumim. He noted that the visit brought to mind memories from his childhood, when he had been in a Belgian institution after the war. Of course, he pointed out, the conditions there were nothing like what the children receive today in Alumim.
Included in the Minister′s accompanying delegation was Mr. Uri Ohali, the Ukrainian representative of Keren Hayesod – United Israel Appeal, who is an old friend of Alumim.
Towards the end of the visit, Minister Peled took a tour of the Center. He admired the comfort and high standards of the children′s living quarters, and met personally with some of the children who were around at the time. The Minister and his companions could not but feel moved by these little children for whom this place is home, and with warm wishes the Minister continued his journey in Ukraine.
Minister Peled thanked his hosts and said, "As one who grew up in a children′s home after the war, I can truly appreciate the wonderful conditions and the warm relationships that you provide for the children. This exemplifies the epitome of Jewish solidarity and the national responsibility to care for every single Jewish boy and girl, give them a chance at living a good and happy life despite their difficult lot, and to provide them with a strong Jewish identity which will encourage them eventually to make Aliyah to Israel.
"The Talmud in Tractate Kiddushin says that one Mitzvah, one good deed, can tip the side of the merits on the scales of the world. Who knows, maybe this children′s home is the good deed that will transform the world into a better place.
"I lived in much more difficult conditions, without the privacy, sports or studies which you provide here, and I grew up to be a general and a Minister in the Israeli government. Maybe here grows a future Minister"!
