Honored on Capitol Hill in Washington
On May 20, 2025, the annual celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month took place in the historic Kennedy Chamber in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill. The gala was organized by Project Legacy, led by Ezra Friedlander, founder and CEO of The Friedlander Group.
Marina Lagunova

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Charity event in support of children of Ukraine
People have been dying for three years now - without reason, without meaning. This is not a war for ideas, because both Russians and Ukrainians are Christians, in my opinion, brothers and sisters. Many wars in human history have arisen for religious reasons, but this one is fratricidal and inhumane, with the use of the most modern weapons. The terrible bloodshed continues, and the list of victims gets longer every day.
It is hard for me to look at the photographs of Kharkov, where my brother, a doctor, lives. My second brother lives in Kyiv. They were not evacuated because people need them.
I was honored to meet the mother of fallen American soldier Andrew Weber, who became an advocate for veterans and refugees. She was presented with a portrait of her son, painted by artist Tatyana Khoroshko. Carla Weber is a representative of the American Mothers group. Her son, like other American volunteers, went to Ukraine to fight evil. Unfortunately, Andrew Weber's daughters, Gwyn and Vera, are now growing up without a father. And how many Ukrainian children have been orphaned! It should not be like this. . .
Renowned American journalist Mitzi Perdue, known for her unwavering support for Ukraine, was also honored. Perdue is the daughter of the founder of Sheraton hotels, and her late husband Frank Perdue is the founder of a famous poultry empire. She auctioned off her emerald engagement ring for $1.2 million in support of Ukrainian defenders and spoke of her deep respect for the Ukrainian people.
"Even in the darkest times, a small light can make a difference," Perdue said. "Tonight, we come together to shine that light."
It was not just a concert, but rather a memorial event. Guests made donations for the children of Ukraine, and the children present helped them. In the hall there were Ukrainian servicemen with serious injuries, amputations of limbs, who are undergoing rehabilitation in Philadelphia.
An elegy was performed dedicated to the artists who died in the war. The photographs on the screen spoke for themselves:
• Artem Datsishin - ballet star, died;
• Yuri Kerpatenko - conductor, killed;
• Vasily Slepak - opera singer, died in battle;
• Alexander Shapoval – ballet dancer, died;
• Anton Somov - ballet dancer, killed;
• Masha Lebed, Sergey Shkvarchenko and many others.
I remembered Pavel Kushnir, a soloist of the Birobidzhan Philharmonic, a Jewish pianist, writer, and dissident who died in a Russian prison while on a hunger strike. In December 2024, an international fund and scholarship named after Pavel Kushnir was established in Israel by Russian and foreign artists.
The list goes on. To the music of Miroslav Skoryk it seemed that even the air in the hall was screaming and crying.
The event was opened by Lyudmila Fesenko, Honored Artist of Ukraine, who has lived in New York for 30 years and performed at Carnegie Hall and other famous halls. Honored Artist of Ukraine Victoria Vennikova, Honorary Ambassador of Kharkov in New York, performed songs in Ukrainian and French. Drawings by children from Ukraine, sent to Victoria, were exhibited in the theater lobby.
All the performances were very touching. Alexander Chaplinsky accompanied the singer Goga Guladze on the piano. It is symbolic that Ukraine and Georgia were close, supporting each other in the fight for freedom. Emily Cohn and Wilson from Philadelphia presented unique ballet numbers against the background of dark clouds. Yuka Iseda performed "The Dying Swan", personifying all the horror of what was happening.
It's not just people in Ukraine who are dying. I can't hear without pain about the 1,400 victims of the terrorist attack at a music festival in Israel. There are still hostages, the search for the dead continues. Children... our children...
Ukrainians, Americans and Israelis have created a psychological assistance program. People need communication to overcome psychological trauma. Children do not know how to deal with fear and loss. They have been deprived of their childhood. Yoga, joint gymnastics, tea ceremonies, individual and group sessions help to bring back their smile, at least for a moment. Children should not say: "You know how a dog cries..."
Michael Kaplan, a representative of the Czech consulate, was present at the event. Americans and representatives of charitable organizations raising funds for children's programs in Ukraine were awarded certificates from the Assembly, which were presented by Assembly member Mikhail Novakhov. It was touching.
There were many caring people in the hall: Lyudmila Gladkovitser, lawyer Tanya Segal, Mara Khanukov, Svetlana Zelinskaya, Yuri Viderman and others.
But people of good will, like me, still want this fratricidal war to end. For the hostages to be released in Israel. The selflessness of Israel's defenders commands great respect, especially when young men come from different countries to defend their land. And how hard it is to realize how many lives wars have already taken.
Marina Lagunova