In the 1953 the Chamah Organisation was secretly founded in Samarkant, Uzbekistan. Its commitment was simple, clear and dangerous: To keep the spark of Judaism alive. It was in this hour of total darkness that a small group of Jews took action to help breathe life into the oppressed spirit of their people. They began establishing an underground network of classes in Judaic instruction and were there to provide financial and moral aid to the victims of the Communist oppression.
During the 1970's, when emigration to Israel and the United States began, Chamah continued its efforts and serving their needs on behalf of these immigrants with a special emphasis on those that originated from the Asian Republics such as; Buchara, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Kazakstan etc., who experience more difficulty to integrate in a western society.
Two decades later when Operation Solomon was put into action and the changes in the former USSR brought out Perestroika, Chamah became a major pillar of support to the thousands of Olim that were arriving daily in Israel from Ethiopia and Asian Republics. Our highly dedicated volunteers committed themselves with a special emphasis to the needs of the Sephardic communities.
Chamah has established in Kiryat Malachi which is situated in the south coastal region of Israel, a four floor Community Centre to cater for their needs. This houses a myriad of activities such as the Day Care Centre which we operate for the children of Olim. This enables the parents to go to their jobs or seek employment. It also contains a Synagogue where the language, tradition and customs of their home towns are upheld and provides these Olim with the spirit of the Sephardic heritage. A senior citizens club for the elderly and needy is a productive and favourite pastime for the aged. Chamah sponsored the printing and distribution of Judaica and educational materials such as books, magazines, Haggadahs and holiday calendars all in their native language.
In the CIS Chamah maintains close links with over 30 cities especially with the Jewish communities throughout the South and East who practice traditional Sephardic customs. Our activists visit these cities periodically especially during the Chagim when they conduct services and provide much needed humanitarian aid to these communities.
In Moscow, Chamah's kosher soup kitchen, is now feeding hundreds of elderly and hungry people daily hot and nutritious meals, with additional meals being delivered to the homebound. The second floor of Chamah's soup kitchen also serves as a medical centre where the needy can obtain medications, free consultations with a medical staff and be provided with any kind of assistance they might be in need of. The Joint Distribution Committee has generously contributed to the renovation of these premises, for which we are most grateful.
Chamah's Home and Educational Centre for Underprivileged Jewish Children, which was opened in 1993, consists of three 2-story buildings situated on beautifully landscaped grounds. Nearly 100 children receive a Jewish education. Chamah's aim in establishing this Jewish Home is to prevent the assimilation of Russian Jews by ending their estrangement from Jewish tradition, heritage and culture.
Chamah has been actively sending containers of food and medical supplies as humanitarian aid to the former Soviet Union with the assistance of the United States Government.
As we are approaching the Pesach holiday, Chamah will be sponsoring numerous public Sedarim, as well, thousands of our needy brethren who are in Israel and in the former Republics of the USSR will be receiving packages containing Matzot, wine, meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, eggs, flour, oil and sweets for the children.
For those who are interested in partaking in vital activities can send their kind contribution to :
Chamah
78 Pearl St.
New York
N.Y. 10004
USA
Chamah
P.O.B.800
Kiryat Malachi 83107
Israel