RAYA FINGERMAN, the ultimate volunteer and 'do-gooder', arrived in Israel from Kiev with her family in 1973. She worked at the Israel Aircraft Industries for 17 years until her retirement.
From the early 1980's Raya started aiding new Russian immigrants. She used to frequent the ESRA Household Goods storeroom in the basement on Nordau Street, Herzliya Bet collecting goods for the newcomers.
Twenty years ago Raya offered her services as the ESRA Volunteer for all the larger household furnishings, electrical goods etc. She worked diligently at distributing to all and sundry until her untimely death a month ago.
Raya was the most generous soul – providing necessities for impoverished families in Bnei Brak, Beit Shemesh and for those in need in the entire Sharon area.
She was the mentor and 'shoulder' of the entire Russian community. They were all her "extended family".
Raya would collect breads from bakeries and fruit and vegetables every Friday morning and distribute these amongst the 'lone' elderly immigrants in the Tiran Hostel and Serena House.
She also took care of the less fortunate members of our society residing in closed institutions supplying them with clothes, books and materials for their handicrafts.
Raya worked closely with Zulai Papo, head of the Herzliya volunteer organizations, Pat Zuckerman of ESRA and Alla her good friend.
She will be sorely missed by all.
*Alla will be ESRA'S contact for the distribution of household goods – tel: 052 365 8957.