FINAL (probably) UPDATE - Wednesday 16th May
I feel very sad writing this, but basically, my (personal) trip has been indefinitely postponed. The original trip was in May, and then due to van delivery problems was postponed till the end of June. The suppliers didn't make the dates, and so the trip is now happening in October. I can't go in October, as I'm involved in a new project, so, basically, I can't go.

It's obviously very disappointing. For me and for people who supported me. However, the trip itself will still go ahead, and the community in Moldova will still get the vans and aid/equiptment they need.

I will be writing in the snail-mail way to all my donors and supporters to explain the situation fully, and I'm sorry. This is a situation genuinely out of my control.

There is a small chance that I may go next May, but frankly that's a year away. I will, obviously keep you informed.

Thanks for all your support.

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UPDATE - Friday 11th May:
I massively appreciate all the huge support I've received from people I know and people I don't. Thank you.

I wanted to update you - there has been a delay to my trip (an issue out of my hands, to do with WJR's purchasing of the vans, and changes in the European van wholesale distribution chain), so it looks like the trip will be the last week of June. This is yet to be confirmed, and I will keep you posted.

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My great-grandfather, Chaim Tucherman left the Moldova/Romanian border in 1898, escaping pogroms, and now I'm going back. OK, it's 109 years later, but, as far as I know, no-one from my family has been back to der heim since then.

I am part of a small World Jewish Relief team called Mission Impossible raising over £80,000 each year, which is spent on transit vans and humanitarian aid. Sixteen of us will drive four aid-filled vans across continental Europe, leaving on Sunday 13th May 2007, and arriving in on 16^th May. 

We will spend a few days with the local Jewish communities, as well as being involved with the local Jewish Community Centres and meeting with local Jewish business people so that we can share some of their experiences and “Brainstorm for Business”. How much they would like to know about media strategy, events and business-to-business direct marketing is unclear to me, but I will find out.

To date, Mission Impossible has raised over £250,000 and delivered vans, clothing and assistance to needy Jewish communities in the Ukraine and Romania.

I need to raise £5,500 to cover the purchase of the vans, humanitarian aid, and my return flight (although, green as I am, I may return overland). To date, I have raised £4,700.

This trip is particularly poignant for me, as my great grandfather came to , from Vaslui, near , now in Moldovia, on the Romanian side of the border in 1898. I've been planning a trip, on and off, for about fifteen years, and I feel like I'm closing some kind of circle: Chaim left Romania pretty much with the clothes on his back, and came to Manchester where he started from scratch (in textiles, of course). I guess I live a relatively comfortable (and certainly pogrom-free) existence.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: World Jewish Relief will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

Many thanks for your support.

Sasha
xx