Irena Maman: how a seamstress, a repatriate from Ukraine, became a heroine for soldiers in Northern Israel, despite shelling and financial difficulties

Irena Mamana repatriate from Zhitomir (Ukraine), became a real heroine of northern Israel. She sews bulletproof vests, repairs uniforms and helps soldiers, forgetting about herself, despite the shelling and financial difficulties.

Her story was told Nikita Aronov on the Israeli portal “Details“.

Irena Maman is one of five returnees honored on November 7 for their contribution to the defense of Israel during wartime.. The award was presented by the country's President Isaac Herzog. Among the recipients are outstanding personalities: a scientist, a surgeon and organizers of volunteer initiatives.

More about this – In honor of Aliyah Day, the President of Israel awarded repatriates: the contribution of immigrants from Ukraine, France, Canada and other countries.

However, Irena stands out for her unusual feat – she is a seamstress who selflessly and tirelessly helps northern soldiers. She works almost without rest, sewing and altering uniforms for fighters completely free of charge. The irony of fate is that instead of supporting it, the state only increases its tax burden.

How a Ukrainian seamstress became the heroine of soldiers in northern Israel

From Zhitomir to Rosh Pina: the path of Irena Maman

Irena Maman, a native of Zhitomir, came to Israel in 1990. Her journey began with a few hundred dollars in her pocket and a lack of support, but even then she knew for sure that her place was in this country. In the north of Israel, in Rosh Pina, she quickly found her calling: she began working as a seamstress, opened an atelier and won the trust of local residents.

Her story is a story of strength and perseverance that inspires hundreds of people today. Her family life is connected with Israel: three sons serve in the army, the eldest in the Iron Dome battery, the middle in the special forces. It was his request for a convenient pocket for a bulletproof vest that began Irena’s big volunteer mission.

First steps: from evening dresses to body armor

Until October 7, Irena sewed evening dresses and handled regular orders. Everything changed when the war demanded her skills. Her son, a machine gunner, complained that the body armor was uncomfortable: the pockets were too small to hold all the necessary ammunition.

“Then they came to me with the whole detachment,” recalls Irena. “Everyone had their own requests: to alter a bag, make additional pockets for grenades, or even develop a convenient holster for a pistol.”

This was the beginning of a large volunteer project. Irena sews and modifies not only body armor, but also bags for pilots, winter uniforms for infantry, and jackets for territorial defense soldiers.

“Ima Maman” for soldiers

The soldiers call Irena “ima Maman” (Mama Maman). She helps everyone who asks for support, regardless of the complexity of the order or time of day. Despite constant air raids, shelling and lack of shelter, Irena continues to sew.

“When the siren sounds, I don’t stop,” she admits. “There is no shelter nearby, but my mother taught me to believe in fate.”

Irena works almost around the clock, often seven days a week. Her studio in Kiryat Shmona is the only place where soldiers come not only for uniform repairs, but also for a cup of coffee, a kind word and help.

Combating the IDF's systemic problems

Irena sees systemic problems in army uniforms. Standard patterns for uniforms and body armor don't fit most soldiers well, she said.

“I have yet to meet a soldier whose uniform fits perfectly,” she says. “The pants are too tight, the sleeves are not the right length, and sizes are often limited.”

Soldiers deployed to Gaza or Lebanon are often given old uniforms that have to be modified by hand. Irena expands pockets, adds inserts from more comfortable fabrics and repairs damaged equipment.

Charity at your own expense

Irena does not take money from the soldiers for her work, but maintaining the studio costs her dearly. Her husband, a university lecturer, supports the family, but the costs of materials, electricity and even underwear for the soldiers are entirely covered by them.

“During the war, I spent my savings. Earnings go only to help the soldiers. I don’t even buy new things for myself,” says Irena.

Her requests to the Ministry of Defense for the allocation of funds or the appointment of salaries remained unanswered. However, Irena does not lose heart, because the most important thing for her is to support the soldiers.

When war is your life's work

Irena's life is closely connected with Kiryat Shmona, a city that is under constant shelling. Despite this, she continues to help not only soldiers, but also local residents. Russian-speaking pensioners often turn to her for help: to translate documents, accompany them to the hospital, or even cover broken windows with fabric instead of glass.

“The state can’t cope, social services have dispersed. We help each other as much as we can,” she says.

Table: Irena Maman’s contribution to helping the army and the city

Conclusion

The story of Irena Maman is an example of how a person can do the incredible, even under difficult conditions. Her efforts were rewarded with a prize from the President of Israel, but for her the main reward remains the grateful smiles of the soldiers.

“NAnews – Israel News” reminds: such stories about mutual assistance and volunteerism show how closely connected the destinies of the Jewish and Ukrainian peoples are. Irena became a symbol of true service, uniting her past in Ukraine and her present in Israel.

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