Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Azimov, Shliach to Paris and member of Agudas Chasidei Chabad, paid a special visit to the Mishpacha Jewish Orphanage in Odessa, Ukraine, witnessing the unprecedented investment in the children’s upbringing firsthand. “The Rebbe taught us to view every child as an entire world,” Rabbi Azimov said, “here, you see that concept come alive.”

Just days after another missile attack on the Odessa region, the Mishpacha Jewish Orphanage hosted a special guest: Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Azimov, Shliach to Neuilly-sur-Seine (a suburb of Paris), member of the board of Beth Loubavitch Paris, and member of Agudas Chasidei Chabad.

Rabbi Azimov, a member of one of the most prominent and veteran families in the world of Shlichus, traveled to Odessa specifically to witness firsthand the extensive charitable activities that continue even under the shadow of war. The visit was led by Rabbi Avraham Wolff, Chief Rabbi of Odessa and Southern Ukraine and director of the Mishpacha network in Ukraine.

From the very first moment, Rabbi Azimov was visibly moved. He toured the classrooms, dormitories, therapy rooms, and play areas, listening to details about the rehabilitation process, personal guidance, and educational support provided to each child 24/7 with sensitivity and total dedication. The orphanage is currently home to 124 children.

“What I saw here is beyond anything I imagined,” Rabbi Azimov said. “Endless warmth, pure love, and dedication that knows no bounds. This place is a home in every sense of the word. A home that nurtures hearts and protects the souls of children who have no one else but you.”

During the visit, he met with the educational staff, professionals, and the dedicated dorm parents who care for the orphans, hearing from them about the challenges of maintaining an orphanage during a time of such security and economic uncertainty.

“The Rebbe taught us to see every child as an entire world, and in this place, you see that living and breathing. Every smile of a child here is a victory of light over darkness,” Rabbi Azimov concluded.

Rabbi Wolff thanked Rabbi Azimov for making the journey, and for the support and solidarity expressed by Chabad of France and the Beth Loubavitch community in Paris toward the activities in Odessa.

“In days when missiles continue to fall again and again,” Rabbi Wolff noted, “such a visit is a source of encouragement and proof that the Jewish people are truly one family.”

The visit concluded with a special prayer for the safety of the children, the staff, and all the Jews of Ukraine, alongside a pledge to continue strengthening and mobilizing support from all corners of the globe.