Tag Archives: Voluntary Service

The work-camp, that was held nevertheless

Posted on by under Jewish Cemeteries, Northern Bukovina

The editors of “Die Stimme” (The Voice)–the monthly bulletin of the Bukovinian Jews–were recently so kind to publish my report on this year’s work-camp of SVIT Ukraine to clear the Jewish cemetery of Chernivtsi (Czernowitz). Even today, “Die Stimme” is published in German in Israel. It moves me every time when I pull a new edition out of my letter box. But it also has the disadvantage that many can not read the articles any more. Therefore, here is an English translation of my report.

Michel – photo by Antek
Kristina – photo by Antek
Felicity – photo by Antek
Marcin – photo by Antek
photo by Antek
This year’s volunteers in Czernowitz – photo by Antek

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On the road with the volunteers

Posted on by under Eastern Galicia, Northern Bukovina

Today I was traveling with the volunteers who work at the Jewish cemetery of Chernivtsi (Czernowitz). Kosiv, Kuty and Vyzhnytsia (Wischnitz) were on the schedule. A journey through Hasidic wonderland. A wonderland that only exists in memories.

At the Kosiv crafts market
Kosiv Jewish cemetery
Kuty Jewish cemetery
Kuty Jewish cemetery
Kuty Jewish cemetery
Kuty Jewish cemetery
Kuty Jewish cemetery
Picnic in the Carpathians
Vyzhnytsia (Wischnitz) Jewish cemetery
Vyzhnytsia (Wischnitz) Jewish cemetery

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A day in Czernowitz, an afternoon with the volunteers

Posted on by under Jewish Cemeteries, Northern Bukovina

The Jewish cemetery of Chernivtsi (Czernowitz) is an enchanted garden. In his jungle you meet lions, deer, blessing hands, and people who are long gone. This morning I had some time to explore it once again. Even after many visits, it is a fascinating place to me. The cemetery tells of rise and fall of Jewish Czernowitz. I spent the afternoon with the volunteers of SVIT Ukraine who work in the cemetery.

Czernowitz Jewish cemetery
Czernowitz Jewish cemetery
Czernowitz Jewish cemetery
Czernowitz Jewish cemetery
Czernowitz Jewish cemetery
Czernowitz Jewish cemetery
Czernowitz Jewish cemetery
Czernowitz Jewish cemetery
The volunteers in the synagogue

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Meeting the volunteers

Posted on by under Northern Bukovina

Today I have met the volunteers of SVIT Ukraine who work in the Jewish cemetery of Chernivtsi (Czernowitz), to clear it of rampant vegetation. It is a miracle that this workcamp takes place. Many people are afraid to come to Ukraine because of the war in the east of the country. And SVIT faced big challenges. The organization has its headquarters in Artemovsk, which was temporarily occupied by “separatists”. The infrastructure had to be moved to Kharkiv, bank accounts registered in Artemovsk were temporarily closed. The by Russia stirred up war has an impact on Ukrainian civil society and on the opportunities of young people for international exchange.

Arthur Rindner with his girlfriend Rina in front of the house where he was born
At the market
With the volunteers in Sadagora
Synagogue of the Sadagora rabbi
The volunteers with Edgar Hauster

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One has to imagine Sisyphus as a happy man

Posted on by under Jewish Cemeteries, Northern Bukovina

Since six years volunteers from all over the world work in the Jewish cemetery of Chernivtsi (Czernowitz). What do they experience and what is the progress in cleaning the cemetery from rampant vegetation?

How to start? Making a plan …
How to start? Making a plan …
Volunteers working
Volunteers working
Volunteers working
Volunteers working
Volunteers working
Mass grave in Storozhynets
Excursion to Kosiv
Excursion to Vyzhnytsia
Excursion to Vyzhnytsia
Excursion to Sadagora
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A trip through Bucovina

Posted on by under Jewish Cemeteries, Northern Bukovina

Sunday is a free day for the volunteers who clear the Jewish cemetery of Chernivtsi (Czernowitz) of shrubs and vines. Today, an excursion is on the agenda. Vashkivtsi, Vyzhnytsia, Kosiv, Storozhynets and the local Jewish cemeteries.

Vyzhnytsia Jewish cemetery
Storozhynets – Jewish cemetery
Vyzhnytsia Jewish cemetery
Storozhynets – Jewish cemetery
Storozhynets – Jewish cemetery
Vashkivtsi Jewish cemetery
Kosiv – Jewish cemetery
Vyzhnytsia Jewish cemetery
Kosiv – volunteers having a break
Kosiv – Jewish cemetery
Storozhynets – Jewish cemetery
Vashkivtsi Jewish cemetery
Kosiv – Jewish cemetery
Vashkivtsi Jewish cemetery
Vyzhnytsia Jewish cemetery

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Two Cemeteries and an Adventure

Posted on by under Jewish Cemeteries, Northern Bukovina

Today, the work camp of SVIT Ukraine has begun at the Jewish cemetery of Chernivtsi (Czernowitz). 14 young people will clean the cemetery of shrubs and vines for the next three weeks. I met the volunteers this morning. In the early afternoon I was searching of traces of the old Jewish cemetery together with Sylvia de Swaan. A little adventure!

volunteers at the cemetery
volunteers at the ceme
volunteers at the ceme
volunteers at the ceme
Czernowitz – old Jewish cemetery
Czernowitz – old Jewish cemetery
Czernowitz – old Jewish cemetery
Czernowitz – old Jewish cemetery

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Back in Ukraine

Posted on by under Eastern Galicia

Cologne – Vienna – Lviv (Lwow, Lemberg), Austrian Airlines brought me and my friends Ingo and Sabine safely to Ukraine today. It’s nice to be back, good to know that you will stay at the wonderful Hotel George, nice to know that you are welcome there. The first thing we tried to do: buy train tickets. Tomorrow afternoon we hopefully continue to Chernivtsi (Czernowitz). There are unforeseen problems with the train reservations, which we hope to solve tomorrow.

Galicia under our wings
Arrival in Lviv
on the roofs of Lviv
Rynok – market square
Golden Rose Synagogue
Golden Rose Synagogue
a wedding in preparation
Armenian church
sleeping cat
Boim chapel

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Action Reconciliation Service for Peace announces summer camp to clear the Jewish cemetery of Chernivtsi

Posted on by under Jewish Cemeteries, Northern Bukovina

Action Reconciliation Service for Peace (ARSP) expects 13 to 15 volunteers for a summer camp from September 26 to October 8 in Chernivtsi (former Czernowitz). Participants in the age of 40+ will not only work but also explore the history of the city.

Czernowitz Jewish cemetery
Czernowitz Jewish cemetery
Czernowitz Jewish cemetery
Czernowitz Jewish cemetery
Czernowitz Jewish cemetery

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