The Jewish National Fund–KKL and the Federation of Jewish Communities (FJC) are strengthening their cooperation to support the future of Jewish life across the former Soviet Union. Through a growing partnership focused on education and community engagement, the organizations are working together to deepen Jewish identity among children and teenagers, strengthen their connection to Jewish heritage and the Jewish people, and foster a meaningful emotional bond with the Land of Israel.

KKL-JNF’s activity in the region focuses on several key educational goals: nurturing Jewish identity among youth, strengthening ties to Jewish tradition and Israel, and encouraging a cultural and emotional connection to Israel’s landscapes and society. The partnership also emphasizes environmental education, introducing young participants to values of nature, ecology, and sustainability, while promoting a love for the land. These themes are delivered primarily through experiential and non-formal education—interactive activities, workshops, games, and leadership initiatives that help young people engage with Jewish values in a meaningful way. Cooperation with Jewish schools, youth organizations, and community clubs helps extend these efforts throughout local communities.

As part of this growing collaboration, in February representatives of FJC’s Jewish youth movement, EnerJew, visited two FSU communities – Baku and Tbilisi – with the support of KKL-JNF. EnerJew Director R’ Yakov Sominsky and Regional Director Natella Epstein met with teachers and students at the local ‘Or Avner’ schools, engaging both active EnerJew club members from grades 6–11 and older students who were being introduced to the format of informal Jewish gatherings for the first time.

During their visit, the guests from Israel led a special program dedicated to the holiday of Tu B’Shvat and the theme of Jewish unity. The activities incorporated content aligned with the educational goals of KKL-JNF, connecting the holiday’s themes of nature and renewal with environmental awareness, Jewish heritage, and a sense of shared belonging to the Jewish people and Israel.

In Baku, Sominsky and Epstein also joined the regular Sunday meeting of the local EnerJew club, where they spoke with participants and observed the program in its natural setting. An additional meeting was held with teachers from the ‘Or Avner’ school network, focusing on the value of informal Jewish education and discussing methods that can complement classroom learning.

“Wonderful, open-minded students and remarkable schools where you can clearly see the care given to every child,” said R’ Yakov Sominsky, Director of EnerJew. “Special thanks to the families of Rabbi Segal in Baku and Rabbi Kozlovski in Tbilisi, for their warm and welcoming hospitality. It is clear from the teenagers already attending the clubs how important this place is for them. I hope our meetings with the students will help the EnerJew club become a point of attraction for even more young people.”