“You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking along the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” (Deuteronomy 11:19)
The heart of the FJC’s education activities is without doubt its chain of more than 90 Ohr Avner day schools. With an enrollment of over fifteen thousand pupils, these institutes provide both the best secular and Jewish heritage education available in the entire FSU region.
Based on a philosophy of inclusion, and reflecting the unique character and needs of each community, Ohr Avner day schools are at the very heart of the Federation’s endeavors to renew Jewish life in the Former Soviet Union. They help unify their surrounding communities, teach children the meaning of living as a Jew, and often – through the child – bring Judaism back into the homes of those who were raised on the Soviet agenda of atheism and cultural homogeny.
Tuition is free, underwritten by the Ohr Avner Foundation, which was founded by FJC President Lev Leviev; and often the two daily hot meals served are a child’s only nourishment of the day.
Alongside the highly professional, locally trained staffed, teachers are also sent from Israel; and the school’s Hebrew, History and Judaic studies curriculum is supported and recognized by the Israeli Ministry of Education.
Most day schools implement the new Darkeinu’s Jewish learning heritage program learning kits, dedicated to the teaching of Jewish culture, biblical and Chassidic teachings, and Jewish identity. The curriculum includes dedicated and attractive learning material and has been developed by a unique team of teachers, authors, psychologists and counselors. The Darkeinu program complies with the demands and requirements of both the FSU Ministry of Education and the Israeli Ministry of Education.
