Tel: +972.2.620.2633E-mail: ask@jafi.org

From Russia to Ukraine,

Uzbekistan to Belarus, the

Jewish Agency ignites the

spark of identity at summer

and winter camps.

“Camp made me feel more

connected to my local Jewish

community and I want to learn

even more about my Jewish

heritage and culture. ”

Engaging Russian-SpeakingJewry

-- Ilya, 17, camper from Yekaterinburg, Russia

Today, most young Jewish communal leaders and professionals in the FSU began their Jewish experience as a Jewish Agency camper or counselor.

Some 20,000 children and teenagers take part in Jewish Agency youth club activities throughout the FSU.

Across North America young Russian-speaking Jewish émigrés are connecting together to their Jewish heritage through exciting educational retreats.

MASA/Israel Journey inspires young people from the FSU to spend a semester or year learning, volunteering and working in Israel.

The Jewish Agency is funded by The Jewish Federations of North America, Keren Hayesod, major Jewish communities and federations, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, foundations and donors from Israel and around the world.

Find out how you can make an impact: v 212.339.6048 e ask@jewishagency.orgwww.jewishagency.org

With over two million Russian-speaking Jews around the world, the Jewish Agency reconnects the next generation to the rich historical, cultural and religious legacy of their people with a diversifi ed network of educational programs and services that spans four continents.

Summer and Winter Camps in the Former Soviet Union Jewish Agency summer and winter camps are the single most important entry point into Jewish life for children and teenagers in the former Soviet Union (FSU). Each year, these camps introduce thousands of young people to their Jewish heritage and connects them to Israel. Here they meet other Jewish youth, discover pride in their heritage and become involved in Jewish educational activities such as youth clubs, Sunday schools and Jewish holiday observance. Thousands have been trained as camp counselors and gone on to run year-round Jewish activities and become community leaders. From there many go to Israel through programs such as Birthright Israel and MASA/Israel Journey.

Average cost per camper perseven-day session: $924

Youth ClubsThe Jewish Agency operates youth clubs for tens of thousands of children and teenagers throughout the FSU. These dynamic clubs harness the connection made in summer and winter camps and bolster Jewish identity. Club activities are diverse and range from drama, music, and sport to folk-dancing and movie-making, all with a focus on Jewish and Israeli themes. A large number of young people become actively engaged in their Jewish communities as a result of their club involvement, and go on to participate in Birthright Israel and MASA/Israel Journey.

Average cost for one youth club per year: $40,000

Programs for Russian-Speaking Jews in North AmericaThe Jewish Agency is partnering with local Jewish community organizations to reach out to the “1.5 generation” of young people who grew up in North America, yet still absorb Russian culture from their parents and grandparent who immigrated from the FSU. These young adults are for the most part unfamiliar with their Jewish heritage.

Through programs which include leadership training, educational retreats and engagement with Israel, these young people explore and integrate their North American-Russian-Jewish identities, learn about their Jewish heritage and become involved in the wider Jewish community.

Average cost per program:Leadership training: $80,000Educational retreats: $100,000Russian-speaking emissary: $120,000

Hebrew Language Ulpanim and Basic Jewish LiteracyHebrew language ulpanim were the vanguard of Jewish education in the FSU, even before the fall of the Iron Curtain. Over the past decade, the ulpanim have integrated both Hebrew language learning and Jewish cultural literacy. Hundreds of thousands of Jews, young and old, have connected to Jewish history and traditions through the ulpanim. Over 13,000 students study with a team of 300 teachers at 140 ulpanim throughout the FSU.

Average annual cost per ulpan class: $7,000

MASA/Israel JourneyMASA, the Hebrew word for “Journey,” is a strategic partnership between the Jewish Agency , the Government of Israel and global partners, that facilitates long-term educational and experiential Israel programs for 18-30 year-olds that forge a life-long connection to Israel and the Jewish people.

For many of the young people from the FSU and from all over the world who want to participate in a long term Israel program, fi nancial need remains the biggest obstacle. MASA provides a signifi cant scholarship for these participants, giving them the opportunity to spend a semester or year in Israel on any number of academic, volunteer and internship programs. This encounter with Israel is a powerful Jewish-identity builder. To date, nearly 10 percent of the expected 9,000 annual MASA participants are from the FSU.

Range of MASA scholarships (depending on country of origin and program length): up to $10,000.