Two Suitcases and No Money

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The Salvia family came from the former Soviet Union just one year ago. Mrs. Salvia, a single mother with a 16-year-old son and a 10-year-old daughter, and doesn't speak much Hebrew which made it difficult for her to find a job. She earns minimum wage working as a nanny for another Russian family in the neighborhood. Through a translator, Mrs. Salvia explained to Rabbi Eckstein, "We couldn't afford rent, food and electricity on my salary so my son had to drop out of school and start working. He and my daughter learned Hebrew very quickly because they are young, so he found a job working in a factory. It doesn't pay much but between both of our incomes we can pay the bills."

The Saliva family arrived in Israel with only two suitcases of their belongings and they have not had any money to buy new things since. The apartment is furnished with the landlord's old furniture — two ripped couches and an old stove.

When Rabbi Eckstein went to the Salvia's house to deliver their new furniture, he saw firsthand how the 10 year old daughter didn't have a bed, a desk or shelves for her clothes. She is the Salvia child who is still in school and has a strong desire to succeed, but as Rabbi Eckstein said, "How could she succeed if she doesn't have a desk to do her homework on or a bed to get a good night's sleep to be rested in the morning?" As he handed the young girl her brand new computer chair, she showed him what she used to sit on to do her homework; it was an old metal stool with no back and no cushions. As together they went to see the new desk that she received as a gift, the first thing she did was take out her backpack and show Rabbi Eckstein the homework she had for the next day. "I'm going to work on my homework now, because I'm so excited to finally have a comfortable space of my own where I can work and concentrate."

Her mother looked on smiling and thanked Rabbi Eckstein for the much needed gifts that The Fellowship provided. "This is our first piece of furniture that we own in Israel and without your help we would not have even this. Thank You." Rabbi Eckstein responded, "it is our happiness to give you this furniture from Christians who want you to know that you are not alone."