Dear Friends,
Once again the people of Israel are facing an incredibly difficult situation. Rockets from Gaza are now threatening almost two-thirds of the country. Weddings are being disrupted by the sirens, children and elderly have 15 seconds to run for shelter, schools and day camps need to close for safety reasons. And yet our people are showing incredible resilience and ability to live, love, create, and dream, despite enormous physical and emotional duress. As we approach Shabbat, we want our brothers and sisters in Israel to know that they are in our thoughts and prayers.
May the One who causes peace to reign in the high heavens,
let peace descend on us, on all Israel, and all the world
Shabbat Shalom,
Roman Shmulenson
COJECO Executive Director
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New COJECO Initiatives for 2014-2015 |
Keystone Fellowship:
A New COJECO Leadership Program in Partnership with NYU Wagner School of Public Service
The Keystone Fellowship is a visionary effort to cultivate and nurture well-trained and thoughtful volunteer leaders who will address the Jewish future and steer our organizations.
The Keystone Fellowship will be a prestigious leadership experience for distinguished volunteers and philanthropists - a collaborative cohort including Russian-speaking Jewish and American-born Jewish New Yorkers. Throughout the program, participants will explore their common history, examine various models of applied leadership, grapple with the current challenges of the Jewish community, and work jointly to steer the future development of Jewish life.
Funded by the UJA-Federation of NY Commission on Jewish Peoplehood, the Keystone Fellowship is a unique partnership bringing the experience and reach of COJECO and the reputation and expertise of the NYU Wagner School of Public Service. NYU Wagner will provide a graduate certificate from one of the top executive leadership graduate programs in North America to Keystone participants.
This 15-month program will include an intensive three-day retreat and an immersive learning experience in Israel that will bracket 12 evening sessions dedicated to covering the wide range of skills and knowledge critical to contemporary leadership. The entire program will weave the practical skills of institutional fiduciary and governance responsibilities with the most current and dynamic models of Jewish and leadership learning.
Individuals whose leadership potential has attracted notice will be nominated by thoughtful professional and lay leaders of New York's Jewish community. These aspiring Jewish leaders will be invited to apply as part of a rigorous selection process to locate, in its first cohort, 18 candidates. Nominations will open in September and the fellowship will begin in January 2015.
For more information, contact Lisa Klig, COJECO Program Director, at
212-566-2120 x15 or [email protected].
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Project Dacha
Many Russian-speaking families from the New York tri-state area spend their summers at "Dacha" - rented summerhouse communities. COJECO Project Dacha is a new model of Jewish day camp designed specifically for RSJ children, parents, and grandparents, providing informal Jewish educational experiences that are presented through a culturally sensitive approach. Project Dacha will engage participants on their own terms, meeting them where they are geographically (at Dacha!), emotionally, and intellectually.
For children, Project Dacha will offer a weekday program that combines the fun of summer camp with enriching Jewish experiences through arts, science, drama, music, storytelling, and more. Activities will include Art, Russian Language, Dance, Chess, Science, Music & Drama, Yoga, and Cooking. Weekend programs will be specifically designed to involve parents and grandparents, including Shabbat celebrations, interactive workshops, and family games.
This summer, Project Dacha will offer 2 short pilot programs at 2 different Dacha communities in the Poconos. Our goal is to launch the full Project Dacha camp next year in the summer of 2015.
For more information, contact Marina Zurakhinsky at [email protected].
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COJECO BluePrint Fellowship |
Applications for the COJECO BluePrint Fellowship are
The COJECO Blueprint Fellowship empowers Russian-speaking Jews ages 25-40 with the tools, structure, and resources to explore and express their unique Jewish identity through the creation of individual community projects.
The Fellowship begins with a 3-day retreat and is followed by a series of weeknight workshops over the course of the year, that provide an overview of the Jewish landscape past and present, introduce fellows to prominent community leaders and social activists, and teach skills necessary for implementing a community project.
As part of the program, each fellow is paired with a personal project mentor and awarded a grant of up to $5,000 for the implementation of their Jewish community project.
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Screening of Documentary Film "Stateless"
in Wayne, NJ on Sunday, July 27, 2014
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Chabad Center of Passaic County - 194 Ratzer Road, Wayne NJ
4:30pm Buffet Dinner 5:15pm Screening of Stateless, followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker - Michael Drob, a COJECO BluePrint Fellow.
**Throughout the show, a children's program will be available to keep your kids occupied while you watch the film!
About the Film: As 20th century drew to a close Soviet Jews were once again given permission to leave the USSR. Much like their predecessors of 1960s and 1970s, requesting to leave meant social and political suicide, and leaving the country meant the forfeit of citizenship and all personal property. Unlike their predecessors, those coming to the US were now burdened with having to prove "reasonable fear of persecution," a concept not understandable to those born into a climate of persistent maltreatment. Because of this, thousands had their applications for refugee status denied - leaving them in Italy. Stateless.
Tickets: $20 per person ages 3+
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Save the Date!
"People of the Book" Winter Family Retreat:
January 16 - 19, 2014
Did you see the photos from the our wonderful Summer Family Retreat?
Russian-speaking Jewish families with children enjoyed an incredible weekend of fun and learning!
Don't miss the next one! Save the date now for the "People of the Book" Winter Family Retreat!
January 16 - 19, 2014
at the Edith Macy Conference Center
in Briarcliff Manor, NY
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COJECO Member Organizations |
EZRA USA Day Off trip to Washington D.C.
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Join Russian-speaking Jewish young adults (ages 18 -35) on a tour of Washington D.C.!
When: Sunday, July 20, 2014 Departure Time: 8:00am
Return Time: 12:00am
Bus departure location: 311 SeaBreeze Ave. Brooklyn, NY. Please arrive no later than 7:45.
Cost: $50 per person
Trip Features:
--Tour of Washington D.C.
--Tour of U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
Ezra USA Day Off Trip is a unique program aimed at discovering American and Jewish history of the Northeastern United States. The one day bus trip includes visiting major Jewish and American historical points of interests, museums and guided tours. Aside from enjoying an exciting trip, participants also have a unique opportunity to spend a day with their peers (18-35), reconnect with their friends and make new ones.
Questions? Please contact [email protected]
Register Now!
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JCC in Manhattan Generation R Presents:
Up on the Roof - Slavic Soul Party
Thursday, July 17, 2014 at 8PM
The acclaimed Brooklyn-based Balkan brass band brings their blend of gypsy, klezmer, funk, and New Orleans jazz to the JCC for the first time. Don't miss it!
Where: JCC in Manhattan - 334 Amsterdam Ave, NYC 10023
When: Thursday, July 17, 2014 at 8PM
Cost: $15 in advance, $20 at the door
Buy Tickets Now!
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New Ohio Theater Presents
MY STUBBORN TONGUE
August 6 - 24, 2014
My Stubborn Tongue is a story about a girl who refuses to be defined by her origins: Russian in America, Jewish in Russia, poor little immigrant. The only way out is the English language - and so begins a journey into the wild antics of the letter "u," the spit-firing enunciations of "th," and the unforeseen hazards of not knowing idioms. Experience the heartbreak and hilarity - the Russian version of what it means to be an American!
Written and performed by Anna Fishbeyn Directed by Scott Klavan
New Ohio Theatre - 154 Christopher St. New York, NY 10014 Ticket Price: $30, seniors and students $15 Special Discount to COJECO: 30%OFF Tickets!
Use Discount Code: COJECO30
Buy Tickets Now!
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MASA Israel for Russian American Jewish adults 18-30
MASA Israel offers young Russian American Jewish adults (18-30 years old) 5-to-10 month study abroad, MA/MBA and career opportunities in Israel, and provides expertise and support throughout the entire process.
MASA offers grants and scholarships to make the experience affordable!
Questions? Contact Tanya Gutsol, Masa Israel Russian Community Liaison, via email: [email protected] or phone: 443-977-0620
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UJA-Federation of NY Poverty SLAM
UJA-Federation of New York invites Jewish teens (ages 13 - 17), educators, and program staff from New York synagogues, schools, youth groups, and Jewish institutions to get involved, get educated, and get creative at the PovertySLAM. Together we can SLAM poverty. Check this out:
The PovertySLAM will inspire teens to develop innovative responses to poverty in the New York Jewish community through an educational summit and grant competition.
Take the first step - join us for an introductory webinar on September 16th to learn more about the PovertySLAM and grant competition, and how you and the teens in your programs and schools can participate.
Learn more about the PovertySLAM and grant competition.
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Established in 2001, COJECO is the central coordinating body of the Russian-speaking Jewish community of NY. Our mission is to facilitate the successful integration of Russian-speaking Jews into the greater Jewish community, while preserving our unique cultural heritage. Today, COJECO continues to support its member organizations and also represents and advocates for the community's needs. Learn more at www.cojeco.org.
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COJECO Prins Grants
Assistance to professionals from the former Soviet Union in their first steps towards a new career in the United States. Learn more here!
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Free Children's Books from PJ Library
Sign up for free Jewish children's books to be mailed to your home every month!
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Thank you to our sponsors!
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