Faces of The Fellowship: Bella

The Fellowship  |  May 16, 2018

Bella is an 80-year-old Holocaust survivor who now lives alone in Israel and depends on The Fellowship for survival.

Born in Ukraine, Bella was just three years old when the Nazis entered her hometown. Her father was away fighting in the Soviet army, so Bella’s mother and aunt bundled up little Bella and fled for their lives.

They had no idea where they were going and wound up on a cattle train. Hiding amongst the cows, they listened to shells falling outside the train their entire trip. The train eventually took them to Moldova, where Bella’s mother worked on a farm.

After growing up and getting married, Bella and her husband fulfilled a lifelong dream when they made aliyah (moved to Israel) in 2002. They enjoyed ten happy years together in the Holy Land until he passed away in 2012.

Today, Bella’s daughter lives hours away in another part of Israel, and her son remains in Ukraine. After suffering a stroke six years ago, Bella has a difficult time walking and rarely leaves her home. Living alone isn’t easy, but The Fellowship makes it possible. She is part of our With Dignity and Fellowship project, which provides impoverished elderly in Israel with food, medicine, and companionship.

Yael Eckstein recently made one of our regular food box deliveries to Bella. While there, Yael admired the many pieces Bella has crocheted and listened to her share memories from her childhood. This is the kind of loving care generous Fellowship donors make possible every day.