The Jewish community in the United States has donated almost $500,000 worth of COVID protective equipment to the Moldova Ministry of Health. The masks were sent courtesy of the Global Jewish Assistance and Relief organization, headed by Rabbi Eliezer Avtzon. Rabbi Zushe Abelsky, Chairman of the Moldovan Jewish Community of Chabad, facilitated this generous donation.
The protective equipment includes 199,2000 N95 masks, 72,000 surgical masks, and 61,000 protective gloves that will be distributed to employees of the institution.
On January 12, a ceremony was held at the Ministry of Health to show appreciation for this support. Attendees included: Secretary of State of the Ministry of Health Ion Prisacaru, Head of the National Center for Emergency Boris Golovin, Chabad Lubavitch Jewish community president Simcha Buzor, and Mr. Alexander Kleinerman.
“I am so grateful for this generous donation. It is an extraordinary gesture of solidarity with the Republic of Moldova in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. This aid weighs more than four tons – it is such a tremendous help. By the end of the week, all of these masks and gloves will be sent to our colleagues through the Republic,” said the director of CNAMUP, Boris Golovin.
Rabbi Zushe Abelsky turned to Rabbi Avtzon to help the State of Moldova fight the virus. Rabbi Abelsky coordinated the delivery of the masks by working with Mrs. Ala Nemerenco, the Moldovan Minister of Health. Mr. Alex Galperin, one of the activists in the Moldovan Jewish community, worked with Rabbi Abelsky to coordinate the delivery. Chabad of Moldova understands that in addition to taking care of the Jewish community, it’s important to work with the government to help fight the virus throughout the entire country as well.
