Igor Turchin, an esteemed member of the Jewish Community of Dnipro, a deputy of the Dnipro City Council, the head of the Dnipro city union “Union of Chernobyl of Ukraine,” and a full cavalier of the Order “For Merit,” met with the Chief Rabbi of Dnipro and the region, Shmuel Kaminezki, and told him in detail about the many-year charitable program in which he participates. A special feature of this activity is the broad cooperation of people of different nationalities, religious convictions, and public organizations who have united their efforts for the sake of helping the needy residents of Ukraine. The Chief Rabbi highly appreciated the charitable activity of Igor Turchin and his aspiration to help people in the present difficult time.
During the meeting, Igor Turchin told how the cooperation with international charitable organizations began, thanks to which it was possible to establish regular deliveries of humanitarian aid. He emphasized that over the past years this activity has acquired a systematic character and has made it possible to support thousands of people who have found themselves in difficult life circumstances.
“It all began in 2022, when representatives of an international charitable foundation headed by the highly esteemed Alexander Bubnov approached me and proposed cooperation,” said Igor Turchin. “At first I was even surprised why they chose me, but it turned out that I had been recommended as a person to whom such work could be entrusted. Already then, from Chernivtsi arrived the first large shipment of humanitarian aid, which was especially necessary for people. Since then, we receive and distribute approximately 100–120 food packages practically every month. Over the entire time of our work, this is already approximately five to six thousand packages handed over to people in need of support.”
Special attention in the conversation with the Chief Rabbi was given by Igor Turchin to the people who are directly engaged in the distribution of aid. He emphasized that the charitable program has united representatives of different generations, nationalities, and faiths, in particular veterans, liquidators of the consequences of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster, and members of their families. Many volunteers themselves have serious health problems, yet continue to work selflessly for the sake of others.
“I am very proud of my comrades, with whom we have been together for about forty years, among whom many have been through Afghanistan and took part in the liquidation of the consequences of the Chernobyl catastrophe; practically all have disabilities, but no one remains on the sidelines when other people need help,” said Igor Turchin. “We have created several volunteer centers, in particular in the Soborny, Industrialny, and Samarsky districts of Dnipro. I am especially grateful to their heads – the cavalier of the Order ‘For Merit’ of the III degree, Alexander Lisnyak, and the cavalier of the Order ‘For Courage’ of the III degree, Petro Polekhin, as well as to the heads of the volunteer centers of the Samarsky district, Volodymyr Hnydenko, Mykhailo Rohalov, and Anzhela Hodovanets. I also want to note Alexander Oksen, the head of the district organization of Afghanistan veterans in the Samarsky district. Enormous work is carried out by the charitable foundation ‘Humanitarian Hub of Ukraine,’ headed by Alexander Yasakov and Igor Protsiv. Alexander today serves in the Armed Forces of Ukraine but continues to concern himself with the activity of the foundation. All these people deserve the deepest respect.”
A separate theme of the meeting was the cooperation of charitable organizations with entrepreneurs and the city authorities. Igor Turchin noted that regular humanitarian aid is impossible without people ready to take upon themselves the organizational expenses, to provide transportation, to provide premises, and to resolve numerous practical questions. At the same time, in his words, an important role is played by the readiness of representatives of the most diverse public circles to support the common cause.
“I want to thank from the bottom of my heart the young entrepreneurs who help us deliver humanitarian cargo – among them Fedir Lohvin, a representative of the famous Jewish musical dynasty, the son of the People’s Artist of Ukraine, the renowned conductor Dmytro Lohvin, and the grandson of the great violinist Harry Lohvin, as well as Olha Porubok, for whom social responsibility is an important component of entrepreneurial activity, and even, as far as I know, Olha helps a children’s oncology center, buys products and medicines,” noted Igor Turchin. “Very important for us is the support of the Mayor of Dnipro, Borys Filatov, who helps resolve questions with premises and other organizational problems. I am also grateful to Volodymyr Fedorenko and Mykhailo Hlikman for their assistance to our work. Separately I want to thank the head of the ‘LVS’ corporation, Leonid Itin, who for many years has provided material support to humanitarian activity, helping ordinary people. Without the participation of all these people we would not be able to ensure the regular delivery and distribution of aid.”
Summing up the meeting, Igor Turchin especially emphasized the interethnic and interreligious significance of this charitable activity. In his conviction, the cooperation of people of different religious traditions, public organizations, and social groups shows how much can be done when the aspiration to help one’s fellow becomes more important than any differences. He also noted that participation in such programs holds special significance for him as a member of the Jewish Community of Dnipro.
“I sincerely thank our friends and the international charitable organizations that absolutely selflessly help the people of Ukraine, and for me it is a great honor to work together with such wonderful people,” emphasized Igor Turchin. “We belong to different nationalities, profess different religions, each of us has one’s own fate, but we are united by the desire to help those for whom it is especially hard today. I am convinced that participation in such charitable initiatives not only brings real benefit to those in need but also strengthens respect for the Jewish people, shows its openness to cooperation and readiness together with others to do good deeds. For me as a Jew it is especially important that this activity contributes to strengthening the authority of our united and cohesive Jewish Community of Dnipro under the leadership of Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki.”
