Bottom: Virve Vaher, Sirje Uriko, Mia Tarikas. Top: Helena Otsa, Toomas Kilm, Liisa Sestrich  Photo: Siiri Lind

For 72 years, with generous support from Estonians in the U.S., the Estonian Relief Committee has been helping Estonians that are less fortunate.
Earlier this year, members elected the following to the Board of Directors:  Toomas Kilm – President, Helena Otsa - Vice President, Virve Vaher - Secretary General & Treasurer, Liisa Sestrich – Director, Sirje Uriko – Director. The external auditors are Mia Tarikas and Tuuli Ristkok.

The organization has introduced a new bilingual website estoreliefusa.org and updated its Mission Statement to reflect today’s needs and environment in the Estonian community. One objective is to support fellow Estonians in need in the United States and in Estonia. Another objective is to help preserve and promote Estonian culture and heritage in the United States.
In Estonia, grants support needy children, the handicapped, and veterans in need of medical care and the basic necessities of education and living. The grants are provided to Estonia’s registered charities and non-profit organizations that have the local presence and means to distribute and monitor the charitable use of funds to reach many in need.

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Published: November 09 2013

A mission to translate the work of Estonia’s most influential poet into English is underway, writes Silver Tambur in an article in estonianworld.com

While Estonia has recently become internationally better known for its technological achievements, it has been somewhat slower in showcasing its cultural heritage. Arvo Pärt may well be one of the most performed living composers in the world, but there are still many who don’t realize that he originates from Estonia.

There is even less knowledge about Eduard Tubin (1905-1982), another great Estonian composer. But at least, when one talks with a stranger about Estonian culture in London, Berlin or Paris, music would most probably top the list. With its quality education of classical musicians having produced world-class composers, conductors and singers, this tiny Nordic country truly punches above its weight. One could also mention a few names from the world of visual arts, perhaps followed by Estonian animation.

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Published: November 02 2013

Boston Herald, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013:  
 
When the Soviet Union broke up in 1991, nearly all of its Central Asian “republics” retained their local dictators and even today remain at least politically frozen in time. But on the European side of the vast Soviet empire tiny Estonia grabbed for all of the freedoms it had been denied for five decades — and then some.

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Published: November 02 2013

Here is some historical reference in regards to the Estonian Gleason, Wisconsin community and church from 1900.

Last fall, Crick and I attended a missions conference in northern Wisconsin.  We met someone there who shared with us an incredible story about a group of Estonians who settled in Wisconsin in the early 1900s.

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Published: November 02 2013

The marjad (berries) in this jar are no longer whole, nor are they a "product of Greece", as stated on the label. Greece in Estonian is Kreeka.

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Published: October 24 2013

The Estonian Evangelical Martin Luther Church

Gleason, Lincoln County, Wisconsin  USA

History records this site in Gleason, Wisconsin, as being established beginning in 1907 to serve the faith of Immi-grants from the Baltic Nations that settled in this geographical area.
The land having been deeded to them by Sig and Tena Heineman in 1907 (#5969 Co. Reg), the founding fathers, Johan Wiltein, George Tutt and Albert Sommi, first known as the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church (EELC), deeded the property and church to the Estonian (Eesti) Evangelical Martin Luther Kokudus (church) on the 16th day of July, 1914. The very same church it is today.

Prior and during the building, the Reverend Hans Rebane of Boston made annual visits to preach to the Estonians in the Gleason area until his death in 1912, followed by the Reverend Konrad Klemmer in 1914 who came from New Jersey to serve the Estonians. A Latvian pastor came from Chicago to serve the Latvians until 1931 when Rev. Werner Kuhlberg came to serve both the Estonians and Latvians.

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Published: October 27 2013

Pillerkaar dancers – Sirli Hill, Age Landre-Robinson, Laila Oinas.     Photos by Anu Oinas

Pillerkaar, Estonian Folk Dancers of the Washington DC Metro Area, performed at the Washington, DC Global Language Network (GLN) Festival (G-Fest) on September 28, 2013. 

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Published: October 24 2013

The Broward County Council of Chamber, in Florida, bestowed upon Kiku Martinson, Director of Real Estate at Campbell & Rosemurgy, the Deerfield Beach 2013 Small Business Person of the Year award.

As a longtime resident, Kiku Martinson has put a lot of time and energy into Deerfield Beach where she has built a wonderful life for 34 years. But it was still a surprise and a thrill when the Broward County Council of Chambers honored her for her outstanding career and community service. Naming her Deerfield Beach Small Business Person of 2013 was no surprise to those who have worked and volunteered with her.

Kiku was born in America, spoke Estonian at home and married an Estonian Märt Martinson. They have raised a son and a daughter in the community, both of whom have graduated from college and are enjoying the challenges of their careers. They are all bilingual, as the family keeps the Estonian language alive at home.

Kiku has a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Masters degree in education from Florida Atlantic University.

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Published: October 24 2013