“There is a place in the world, where the house of every Jew is located. This is the world of Jewish heritage, the spiritual homeland of all Jews at all times. Each of us can return there and be accepted”. – “Torah: names and destinies. The stream”, from 3.
The long-awaited moment has come - in the city of Khmelnytsky to begin construction of a state-of-the-art Social Assistance Center. It will be built on the site of the current HBF office “Hesed Besht” on the street. Shevchenko 40/2. Start a difficult task in, it would seem, the most difficult time people were forced by various circumstances, and the main one is the emergency of the building. Prolonging time even longer can lead to irreversible consequences, which will leave the Jewish community without premises at all.
The center must combine social and cultural functions, promote assistance and care for low-income and seriously ill people. Its foundation is based on the study of modern needs of the community and the situation in society in general. After all, the main purpose of ordinary activities, subject to the Torah Commandments - “… Self-improvement and improve everything, that surrounds us”.
The main problem, which is currently facing the community - lack of funds. Beginning the reconstruction with bare enthusiasm, everyone involved in this matter sincerely believes, that the necessary funds will be found thanks, in the first place, kindness of sensitive hearts, prudence of patrons and generosity of philanthropists. By joint efforts, we can say “for a penny”, will be able to raise the necessary funds for a noble cause.
Everyone can join in the creation of good. We cordially ask all concerned to take part in the charity marathon to raise funds for the establishment of the Center for Rehabilitation and Regional Development. And if every good person buys at least one brick for this, all together we will build a multifunctional Center, which has almost no analogues.
We sincerely hope for the help of philanthropists, which can be done by transferring funds to the appropriate accounts:
in hryvnia
in foreign currency
Remember, that the Commandment of the Tsdaki (charity) – “… Equates to all other Commandments!”
This blog was created to follow the gradual transformation of a century-old building on the street. Shevchenko, 40/2 at the Center for Social Assistance.
Last post by 18 August 2017. See all entries below and find out, how we build our dream!
— 27 July —
The first bucket is the basis of the workshop and warehouse premises – priority premises for further work.
— 28 July —
Before creating something new, you need to get rid of the old and unnecessary. After all, a solid foundation for a new case – the key to success and prosperity. The photo shows the disassembly of the inner wall, which “interfered” transformation.
— 4 August—
Preparation of the site for the construction of the dining room. Previously, there was a shaky completion, in which there was an electric distributor. This small room was dismantled fairly quickly, and bricks – carefully folded under the fence. It will also serve as a building material for the construction of partitions and other elements of the new Center. Savings and rational use of resources – the main criterion of this construction. After all, in the absence of funds, each brick – by weight of gold.
— 6 August —
Quite a bit of time has passed, and the first results are already beginning to please the eye. like this, a little more, than in a week, clear outlines of future workshops and warehouses appeared in the backyard. Construction is carried out of lightweight foam blocks, which significantly speeds up the process. Therefore, the first part of the main room at this time will be ready very soon, which will speed up the whole construction in general.
— 14 August —
In parallel with the construction of the first room, works on concreting the foundation of the future social canteen are being carried out. For this purpose communications are carried out, two manholes were dug and plastic pipes were laid. Workers erect concrete columns, which will hold the structure, and the walls are laid with light aeroblocks.
— 20 August —
This is what the future columns look like. Their basis – connected metal fittings.
— 5 September —
— 12 October —
The premises of social programs and the administrative department were dismantled. “Large room”, as it was once called and “Medicine” do not fit into the concept of a new room, therefore the walls of these, once crowded, rooms are dismantled into bricks. If you think and remember, how many things took place in these premises during the Foundation's operation, how many people received help and came here in a difficult moment – it gets sad. But there is really nothing to worry about, after all, nothing is going anywhere, and inside the reconstructed premises the boundaries of the same premises are already outlined, in a qualitatively new performance.
— 24 October—–
Sometimes you can see quite unusual shapes in something ordinary. When the dismantling of the old premises was completed, in the former corridor, a phenomenon appeared on the torn floor, which has long confused visitors to the construction. The photo shows colored spots. At first glance it seems, that someone sprayed spray paint on the chicken. Why did they do it – unknown, in addition, no painting work took place at this time. People crossed this strange spot, some viewed it in complete incomprehension. But, as it turned out, everything is much simpler. Just a color film, that was glued to the glass above the door to the former “Large room”, transmitted its color under the action of sunlight. So a strange spot – nothing else, as colored light. Such trifles, actually, very useful in difficult times: they can please even there, where for this area, to put it mildly, unfavorable.
— 3 November—–
Today, work on the construction of new walls has begun inside the room. Installed formwork for the foundation of the partitions between the corridor and the new office, which houses the Center for Regional Development and Social Assistance. Once a large room of the corridor is divided into smaller rooms to increase the functionality of the future premises of the Fund. Another formwork is designed for the space between the office and the new toilet, which will appear after the reconstruction.
— 15 November —–
The former floor in the room, covered with boards, has long been unusable. Surprisingly, no one was hurt, walking on that floor during the operation of the building. In the new “Hesedi” the floor will be concrete. AND, although, it's a pretty expensive thing, however, this is essential, if we look to the future. Therefore all floors of the first floor are carefully prepared for reception of cubic meters of concrete. The photo also shows a gutter for concrete, which will be served directly from the mixer outside.
— 21 November —–
The long-awaited arrival of the mixer. Many cubic meters of concrete fill the prepared floors of the rooms of the future Center for Rehabilitation and Regional Development, creating a solid foundation for further reconstruction.
— 1 December —–
We offer you a layout, made by Podolsk artist Volodymyr Karvasarny, which clearly shows, what will be our new Jewish home.
— 24 February —–
Favorable weather conditions have come to continue active work on construction. Extremely important of them – dismantling of the old, rotten and rotten roof. This is necessary to create an armband around the entire building, covering with concrete slabs for the construction of the second floor. This is too complicated and delicate a matter, after all, a multi-ton old roof, mainly, consists of beams of pre-revolutionary manufacture, and sawdust at that time still served as a heater, buckwheat husk, clay and straw. The photo shows the consequences of the fall of the central beams, which led to a controlled blockage of the premises by centuries-old garbage. HBF volunteers also go out to clear the blockages on a par with the workers “Hesed Besht”, because they know, that only by joint efforts it will be possible to create a new Center.
— 27 February —–
“From a bird's eye view”. After dismantling the old roof, all the problem areas became clearly visible, which all the time caused problems and leaks to the Fund's employees and clients, scattering of plaster and the spread of mold. Pre-revolutionary buildings did not differ in aesthetics or sophistication. Impressions are made by 12-meter pine beams, which are no longer manufactured, forged nails and fasteners. However, for a bright future, all this archaic design is not suitable, therefore, we confidently continue to renovate the premises for our descendants.
— 4 March —–
Having made considerable efforts we managed to remove all overlappings and now it is possible to start combination of all building with a continuous armapoyas.
— 17 March —–
Concrete belt, which connects the whole building together, designed to strengthen walls and load-bearing structures before the construction of the second floor. Gradually, the entire future Center for Rehabilitation and Regional Development is transformed into a structure with a monolithic contour., which is the border of the past and a springboard for the future. This is an extremely expensive procedure, which is beyond the power of our organization, so at this stage we really need outside support.
Sometimes there are good finds on the construction site. The photo shows a brick with embossing, which was found in a former furnace. However, experts of antiquity assured us, that this is a sample of Soviet industry. And although there is a cliché “London”, in fact, such bricks were made on the spot and pretended to be foreign.
— 30 March —–
And here is the long-awaited moment – concrete panels cover the building. It took almost 10 hours, so that all the multi-ton blocks fit neatly on the arm belt, leaving no gaps or corners. With the help of a crane they were placed next to each other, which gave not only a ceiling over his head, but also a solid foundation for the second floor of the future Center for Regional Development. Now inside work can go much faster, because it is no longer tied to weather conditions, which means – it's time to do interior cladding and plastering!
— 31 March —–
And here is the first “visitor” future second floor 🙂
— 2 April —
Today the construction was visited by our young guests – project participants “Rainbow of opportunities”, who were once graduates of a popular Jewish leadership seminar “Metsuda”. Young people from all over Ukraine visited the Community Centers of Kamyanets-Podilsky, Ternopil and Khmelnytsky and, of course, visited an important site for our community. An honorable mission awaited them here: to contribute to the development and improvement of the future Center for Rehabilitation and Regional Development. Of course, no professional builder was among them, therefore found a good way of self-realization – landscaping. Participants “Rainbows of opportunity” dug holes and planted young thuja and weaving ivy along the fence, so that in the near future it will be beautiful and cozy here. We are grateful to the guests for their sincere desire to help, after all, for the Jews of Mitzvah – one of the main commandments. In their cities and communities, participants will be sure to tell about the grand project, which is implemented in our community.
— 7 April —–
Meanwhile, wires and cables are being laid inside, cleaning is going on outside. Aesthetic beauty – no less important condition for the Center. Therefore it is necessary to begin to bring beauty already. This is one of the points in the plan of our well-thought-out development strategy. So, when the opening of the new building will take place, healthy and strong thuja trees will already grow in her yard, boxwood, ivy and other greenery.
— 18 April —
And now let's move on “sky” to the ground, or rather – under it. When the work on the ceiling of the 2nd floor was completed and the area in front of the building was cleared, earthworks began before the entrance to the future Center. The pit of the future basement should be extended by seven meters, to give a strong foundation to the future second floor.
Many ask, and what will happen in the basement? Among the ideas: gym, pool, underground parking or even a mikvah! Actually, it will be a warehouse, although the idea of a gym is also really taken into account. In the meantime – the pit expands, concrete constructions increase also terms, for which the basement should be made – adhere to.
— 9 May —
At the celebration of the Victory, guests of the yard of the Khmelnytsky Charitable Foundation “Hesed Besht” had the opportunity to contemplate a huge pit, which appeared on the site of the former site. Now concrete blocks are installed there, ladders and formwork. The spectacle impressed many present – some have already given up hope, that the old and emergency premises of the Fund will be able to be revived, even on such a scale. What I saw inspired skeptics. Although, in light of the current situation and lack of funds, construction may take longer, than expected in the management of the Fund. Therefore, any charitable assistance can accelerate the process of turning a community's dream into reality.
— 22 July —
After, as the outline of a new building began to rise above the foundation, this place has changed significantly in appearance. Now there is no small one-story hut… Powerful walls of a new unusual building rise upwards, the iron skeleton of overlapping over an assembly hall grows… It's really better to see once, than many times to hear about construction.
— 13 November—
— 6 July —
So, outside the second month of summer. Almost two years ago, the construction of the Social Assistance Center began. During this time, everything here has changed beyond recognition. If you have been following this blog closely, then today's photos will pleasantly surprise you. If not followed – shocking. In a good way. In short, then the move of the first employees to brand new jobs is not far off. Tiling is being carried out on the ground floor, laying ceilings and creating an exposition of a new museum of charity. On second – spackling. From the stairs you can see the still untreated “stones” at the traditional exposition “Wailing Wall”, which is in many Centers of our Foundation. From the outside, the facade acquires clear shapes and colors.
Unfortunately, many more steps need to be addressed, before the Center will be able to receive its visitors. Now “hung” questions concerning the arrangement of the Space of active leisure, there is an acute shortage of funds for the timely implementation of the planned schedules. There is a threat, that soon all work will simply stop and we will wait “better times”. Therefore, now the Center for Social Assistance at vul. Shevchenko, 40/2 financial assistance is urgently needed. And we are all convinced, what if the Lord and good people brought us here, then we will not be left without their mercy in this noble cause!them
— 18 August—
The building of the Social Assistance Center is beginning to acquire the features of external completeness. It, however, will not “finish line”, because there are long interior finishing works ahead, installation of communications and equipment and much more. But from the outside it is no longer “long-term construction”: the walls are dressed in colored siding, paving slabs are laid everywhere, curbs are made out, flower beds and paths. Decor elements are starting to appear right now, which will give this place an unforgettable charm and beauty. Even the walls of the workshop and the warehouse got a wavy pattern, to decorate even the shade of the main building.
As for the interior, then everything just begins. The tile is laid, drywall is installed and plastering works are carried out. The sketch of the wall is ready, devoted to the newspaper “Shalom Aleichem”, magical works on the topic of creating the world in the future Cafe-midrash are drying up.
Now the Center needs special help of not indifferent patrons, after all, it depends on good people, when the building works for the community and the public.