Cleveland-JDC International Fellows to Speak at Beth El
In June, 2006, Alyson and Matthew Fieldman were named the Roslyn Z. Wolf Cleveland-JDC International Fellows for 2006-7.
This program was established by the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)
to provide an opportunity for a select individual to spend a year abroad to make a significant difference in the lives of Jews in an overseas community. This was the first time a couple was chosen to fulfill this
mission.
The Fieldmans spent 12 months volunteering with members of the Jewish Community in St. Petersburg,
Russia, working with YESOD, the new Jewish Community Center there. Among other projects, they initiated a program called “Malachai Shabbat” (Angels of Shabbat), which connected Hillel students with the elderly in their homes; led the “Anglisky Club,” which taught young volunteers conversational English through discussions on Jewish subjects; and started the YESOD Sports Program (YSP) to attract
unaffiliated Jewish young people and involve them in community activities. The Fieldmans will share many more of their experiences with us in person at
Beth El. Shabbat services and the Fieldmans’ presentations are open to the community.