 JFS: A Loving Hand Stretches Across
the Ocean
By: Aaron Allen
An immigrant's journey
from Ukraine, Russia to the United States can be full of
delays, complications, worry and fear. For a
middle-aged Jewish couple with minimal English, limited
financial resources and few contacts in America, this journey
can be terrifying. Where will they live? Will they
be able to speak the language? Will they be able to work?
Who will help smooth the way? Jewish Family Services
reached a loving hand across the ocean to this couple to help
ease their transition, find a home, master the language and
adjust to life in the United States.
Edward Mendyuk, an
economist in the Ukraine, was in his 50s when he and his wife
left Ukraine, Russia and traveled by train to Poland. The
Communist government limited his freedom, and things continued
to deteriorate over time. Mendyuk and his wife traveled
from Poland to Austria and then traveled via plane to Rome,
Italy where they pondered how they would reach the United
States.
While in Italy, Mendyuk appealed to the American Ambassador in
Rome regarding where he and his wife could move to in the United
States.
"I had friends in Chicago and wanted to go but at that time
Chicago didn't have enough money to support immigrants, so the
American Ambassador proposed Columbus because Jewish Family
Services (JFS) was able to support immigrants," said Mendyuk.
In Columbus, a representative from JFS met Mendyuk and his wife
at the airport and took them to lunch. They offered the
family housing. JFS helped Mendyuk learn to speak English by getting him
an English as a Second Language (ESL) course. JFS also assisted him in
find a job in accounting with Columbus Mack
Truck East where Edward Mendyuk received awards for his performance.
From the start, JFS
extended a caring hand to the Mendyuk family. By offering
services in the career department and making sure that Mendyuk had every opportunity to learn the English language, Jewish Family Services smoothed the way so that the Mendyuk family would be able to
lead self-sufficient lives in Columbus.
Mendyuk loves the freedom here in the United States.
"My experience with JFS was wonderful," stated Mendyuk. "They helped us a lot and for that I am very thankful."
The relationship between
Mr. and Mrs. Mendyuk and JFS continues through today.
JFS' senior services program now assists Mendyuk and his wife in
meeting their needs as senior citizens.
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