Kids from War-torn Regions welcomed at FJC’s Rostov Summer Camp
An inspiring example of Jewish unity was demonstrated at the FJC’s Gan-Israel camp in the Russian city of Rostov this summer. Together with the local Jewish community, the camp welcomed tens of Jewish children from war-torn Donetsk and Lugansk regions, and in some cases, even their relatives. This is not the first time the Rostov […]
Mothers-and-Children Camp in Zhytomir Uplifts Spirits
A unique summer camp has reopened in Zhytomyr, Western Ukraine this year: an FJC camp for Jewish mothers and children, many of whom come from some the worst living conditions imaginable, where the campers get a desperately needed break and spend the 9-day session resting, re-connecting with themselves and learning valuable skills of better “life-coping.” About […]
Summer camps bring hope to FSU Jews
IFCJ-sponsored program gives ‘Garden of Eden’ experience to impoverished, refugees. The Jerusalem Post More than 5,000 Jewish children from the former Soviet Union began attending 61 summer camps with Israeli and American counselors recently. The Federation of Jewish Communities of the Commonwealth of Independent States organized the programs, with the financial assistance of the International […]
FJC Camps Help Jewish Youth Overcome Self-Shaming and Denial
Imagine two boys, ages 10 and 11, coming to attend a Jewish camp in the beginning of the summer and proclaiming: “We hate Jews! We are not Jewish!” This was the case with two cousins starting FJC’s summer camp in the city of Sochi this summer. They proclaimed their “feelings” on the first day of camp, […]
Odessa Students Explore Israel
large group of enthusiastic Jewish students from Odessa, Ukraine visited Israel on a Taglit Birthright trip last week. The students, many of whom are the city’s FJC ‘Or Avner ‘ school graduates and active community members, have been looking forward to the trip since the beginning of the summer. Odessa rabbis and local Israeli guides […]
Israeli Delegation Visits Zhytomir Jewish Community
A delegation of Israeli Embassy in Ukraine, headed by ambassador Elyav Belotzerkovsky visited the city of Zhytomir last week. After a meeting with city officials, the delegation proceeded to tour Zhitomyr’s Jewish institutions. The ambassador went to the city synagogue for an informal meeting and discussion with community members. Afterwards, the delegation visited the FJC’s […]
Omsk Mikvah, First in Over a Century
A new Mikvah ritual bath opened in Omsk, Siberia on Thursday. This is the first Mikvah to function in the city in over 150 years and its construction was community-funded, with more than 1,000 local residents contributing to the success of the project. “The fact that the entire community participated in the construction is just […]
Krasnoyarsk Community Energized by Israeli Diplomat Visit
FJC’s Jewish community members in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia were excited to meet Zvi Hefetz, Israeli Ambassador to Russia this week. The ambassador, who is on an official tour of the region, met with the city mayor, and then proceeded to the city’s synagogue and community center for an informal meeting with community members. Many people, young […]
Russian synagogue with dark past invites Pokemon hunters to toast its revival
(JTA) — By Cnaan Liphshiz As the Pokemon Go phenomenon grows, some institutions connected to European Jewry’s darkest hour have taken precautions against it. The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and State Museum in Poland has banned the addictive smartphone game, in which players viewing their environments through their device’s camera run in search of animated figures that […]
Yahad Awards Honor Jewish Youth Leaders
FJC’s Yahad leadership awards were distributed last Sunday at the closing of the Yahad youth forum in Moscow. The first annual awards are aimed to recognize the efforts of Jewish communities and individual Jewish leaders in youth activities development. Eli Riss, the rabbi of Birobidzhan, was awarded “Rabbi of the Year” award, while Moscow’s Jewell youth […]