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Moshe Cheshle is a 91 year old volunteer and the recipient of the Presidential Award for Volunteering. He commutes by bicycle in order to encourage senior citizens by setting an example. He hopes his behavior will set an example for young people, too. Yad Sarah is very proud of Moshe from Ashdod who has been found worthy of this prestigious award.

After a month of selection and interviews the advisory board headed by Prof. Rivkah Carmi, chose twelve recipients they found worthy. The President's Award for Volunteering is the highest award given to volunteers in recognition of their unique contribution to the Israeli society.

This award expresses the President's deep desire to foster values of social awareness, readiness to give to others and a love for the land and its people, among the citizens of Israel.

The notice about Moshe, who has turned Yad Sarah's vision into a reality,states that he was born in Poland, is a holocaust survivor living in Ashdod, and upon retirement immediately sought to volunteer helping the aged who live alone. He visits them in their homes dispelling their loneliness, brings them medications, and escorts them on errands and on trips. He also finds the time to volunteer in The Society for the Prevention of Cancer .

When asked where he finds the strength to volunteer at the age of 91, he answers, "From G-d and from my forefathers. My late father volunteered all his life and busied himself by doing good deeds. I follow his footsteps.

"I'll tell you what I do at Yad Sarah, under the guidance of Ida, who heads the volunteering services in Ashdod. Ida sent me to the home of an invalid, a completely immobile man. It's important to me that he exercise at least a few hand movements. A small amount of exercise is good for him. We speak once a week in his home. I go there by bike. It encourages him to see that, and I, too, find great satisfaction in helping him.

I was born in Poland. I'm a holocaust survivor. I escaped the Nazis, landing in Russia. Then I fought them. I came to Israel in 1946 after the war. We lived in Tel Aviv and I worked in the port there. When the port in Tel Aviv closed I moved to Ashdod in order to work in the port there. My family supports my volunteering, but here you've touched a sore spot. My wife, Ella, - she supports me, of course, but not enthusiastically. Why? Because she wants me near her at home."

Photo- Moshe and Ella