ODESSA, Ukraine, July 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Launched ten years ago by the local
Jewish community, an orphanage in Odessa, Ukraine, has experienced growth and
success in recent months thanks to donations by philanthropist Mouli Cohen and
his wife Stacy Cohen.
The orphanage currently provides a home to 55 South Ukrainian boys and girls
whose parents were either alcoholics, drug addicts or generally unwell. Some
of the children have suffered from violence, others have been orphaned by one
of their parents and their relatives are unable to raise them.
"These children have nowhere else to go, so as a community we must continue to
support a home for them," says Rabbi Abraham Wolff, chief rabbi of Odessa, a
city where around 50,000 Jews live.
The story of the Jewish community orphanage began in September 1999 when the
rabbi was approached by a woman who pleaded with him to take her two
grandchildren. Her request was peculiar, but her explanation was
heartbreaking. She told the rabbi: "My daughter was murdered in her yard...
these are her children, who are students in your school. With my very small
monthly pension, I am not capable of raising them, to supply them with meals
or with the necessary clothing they need. Please take them!"
The orphanage, which provides the children with the most basic physical and
medical needs, and organizes weekly trips and events, currently employs a team
of educators, counselors, doctors and psychologists to tend to the needs of
the children.
Without the support of Mouli Cohen, an Israeli-born American entrepreneur and
philanthropist, and his wife Stacy Cohen, an author, the Jewish community
would not have the resources needed to continue to expand the orphanage and
take on more children.
"With Mr. and Ms. Cohen's important donations and interest for the orphanage,
there is a brighter future for the Jewish children of Odessa," stresses Rabbi
Wolff.
"It is an absolute honor that I can be involved in any way to help the
orphanage. I have been amazed at the development of the kids at the orphanage,
and seeing our children attaining top positions in local and regional English
and Mathematics contests shows that our efforts are worth it," says Mouli
Cohen.
Graduating students are granted matriculation certificates recognized by the
local Ministry of Education that provides them with the option to continue
their studies in academic institutes within the Community of Independent
States or elsewhere in the world.
About Mouli Cohen
Mr. Cohen is a successful entrepreneur and founder of Voltage Capital and
Ecast who has developed ventures in biotechnology, high technology, digital
media and entertainment sectors. He has balanced his success in business with
extensive philanthropic activities. Over the years he has supported children's
charities, food programs, medical research as well as education projects both
in the U.S. and abroad. He is married to author and lifestyle consultant Stacy
Cohen (http://www.stacycohen.com). See his website at
http://www.moulicohen.com and learn more at
http://www.linkedin.com/in/moulicohen.
Contact:
Kathie Nicholls
ea@moulicohen.com
415-789-0764
This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit
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SOURCE Mouli Cohen
Kathie Nicholls for Mouli Cohen, +1-415-789-0764, ea@moulicohen.com
