‘I Am Immensely Grateful’
The Fellowship | April 2, 2025
Today, Inga is 86 years old. But she still vividly remembers when she was just three years old, and World War II came to Russia.
It was one of the most frightening times of her life. She and her mother had to evacuate their city by train. The train ride took days and Igna was too young to understand why her mother kept leaving her alone with the other children for long periods of time. Today, Inga knows her mother was only trying to help them survive by looking for food and water.
Igna and her mother survived the long train ride and eventually arrived at her grandparent’s home in Uzbekistan, located away from the fighting. Her mother quickly found work and Inga would stay with her grandparents. “There was little food,” says Igna, “but my grandmother tried to cook with limited ingredients. I loved watching her in the kitchen.” Her grandmother would sing her lullabies in Yiddish – and they warmed Inga’s heart. Inga tells us, “I just love singing those lullabies to my great-grandchildren.”
After evacuation, Inga stayed in this same town until her grandparents passed away. As she grew older, she learned that they kept their Jewish traditions a secret and only celebrated behind closed doors in the safety of their home. In fact, in 1990, Inga ended up fleeing when she feared pogroms against the Jewish people would reach her city.
“We gathered our documents, took two suitcases with our belongings, and left for Israel with my husband and daughter. Many Jews left Uzbekistan that year.”
“In 1990, we came to Israel and settled in Ashkelon, where we still live. This was a dream come true for us.”
She tells us that over the last year, she has experienced intense code red sirens as terrorist rockets fall. She says the sirens and the rockets only transport her back to her frightening past. She says, “I’m reminded of the times when I sat trembling under the relentless bombing of Nazi pilots. I don’t even make it out to the stairwell in time for the sirens, so I sit on the couch, feeling small and scared, and I pray.”
This faithful woman turns to God for help, just as she turns to The Fellowship. We bring her a little bit of comfort when the rockets fall. Even in a war zone, The Fellowship ensures she has ongoing food support.
“It is incredible that so many Christians are willing to invest their resources, time, and care for Jews in Israel. I am immensely grateful to all the donors of The Fellowship. You made a significant impact on my life and are still helping me during these times of war.”
