October 2015
Dear Friends,

During this tumultuous time in Israel, our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims of terror, and with all of our brothers and sisters in our homeland. 

Now, more than ever, is the time to support the IDF Project, led by COJECO BluePrint Fellow, Ross Den, to provide tactical gear for IDF soldiers. 
Please donate now, in whatever sum is meaningful to you. 

Applications for the 2015-2016 COJECO BluePrint Fellowship will be released November 2nd with the deadline for applications on December 1st, 2015. Stay tuned!

We hope to see you soon at one of the many upcoming events in the RSJ community! 

Warmly,
~The COJECO Team
COJECO BluePrint Fellowship
BluePrint Fellowship Project:
Magic Streetcar - Immersive Theater for Children
Sunday, October 25, 2015

- a children's immersive theater project based on the poetry of R. Mukha and other Jewish authors in Russian. The show will allow children (suggested ages 2-5) to use their senses to explore their connection to Russian Jewish heritage. Performances are in Russian.

When:   Sunday, October 25, 2015, 11:00 AM, 1:00, 3:00 and 4:00 PM
Where:  JCC Manhattan - 334 Amsterdam Ave, Manhattan
Tickets: $10 members / $15 public and can be purchased here.

For more information, please visit Facebook.
COJECO B'nai Mitzvah Family Journey 
Research & Development for New Program: Take Our Survey!
This year we at COJECO are exploring the need and interest of the Russian-speaking Jewish community for a customized, culturally sensitive, pluralistic family program for parents and their children leading up to Bar/Bat Mitzvah.  

We envision a year-long program that would offer Russian-speaking Jewish families an immersive, multifaceted experience so children and parents can learn about the history, significance, traditions, and rituals of becoming Bar/Bat Mitzvah through a culturally sensitive lens and with a like-minded community. 

May be interested in this program? TAKE OUR SURVEY! Help us customize and tailor this program to your needs and interests. The survey should take about 5-10 minutes to complete. Thank you! 

COJECO Member OrganizationsRussian_Heritage
Metropolitan Russian-American Parents Association Picnic
Sunday, October 25, 2015 at 9:00 AM

Metropolitan Russian-American Parents Association (MRAPA), COJECO Member Organization invites kids and parents from Russian-speaking Jewish families to participate in a special picnic.

When: Sunday, October 25, 2015 at 9:00 AM 
Transport: Van transportation available in Brooklyn at Coney Island Ave. & Kings Highway.

For more information and to register, 
please call MRAPA President Vladimir Epshtein at 718-415-5912.
Community Events
UJA-Federation of NY Russian Division Kick Off Event
The Power of Pictures: Early Soviet Photography, Early Soviet Film
Tuesday, October 27, 2015, 6:30 - 9:30 PM

This exhibition explores how modernist photography, film, and poster art influenced a new Soviet style and were harnessed to disseminate Communist ideology from the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution to the 1930s. Join us for cocktails and a private tour of this intriguing exhibit.

There is no charge for donors of $1,000 or more to the 2016 Annual Campaign. Please contact Lena Katsnelson to make your donation.

When:   Tuesday, October 27, 2015, 7:00 - 10:00 PM
Where:  The Jewish Museum - 1109 Fifth Avenue, NYC
Tickets: $36 click here to purchase your ticket(s).
 
For more information, please contact Lena Katsnelson at 212-836-1609 or email katsnelsonl@ujafedny.org
GenerationR at the JCC Manhattan

Voices From The Booth (Israel, 2014, 49 min.) - There are tens of thousands of security guards in Israel, most of them of Russian-speaking origin. Many of them used to be well-respected professionals, but when they immigrated to Israel they found themselves doing security work in order to survive. The heroes of our film - former musicians, a writer, and a surgeon - determined to remain creative in spite of every day challenges. Film directed by Lina Chaplin.

When:   Tuesday, October 20, 2015, 7:30 - 9:30 PM
Where:  JCC Manhattan - 334 Amsterdam Ave., Manhattan
Tickets: $9 members / $12 public Click here to purchase tickets

* * *
Arlekino @ the JCC - 23 Saturdays, Oct. 10 - May 14 
12:00-2:00 PM for children 3-5 years | 3-5 pm for children 5-7 years
Click here to register

Russian-language Shabbat Club - 10 Fridays, Oct. 9 - Dec. 18 
4:30-5:30 PM | Sections for children 2-3 years and 4-5 years
Click here to register

Art Appreciation and Jewish Culture - 10 Fridays, Oct. 9 - Dec. 18 
4:30-5:30 PM for children 6-9 years
Click here to register

Check out other programs for Russian-speaking children at JCC Manhattan. For more information contact Jane Tuv at jtuv@jccmanhattan.org.
Save The Date: The King of Chelm
November 14, 15, 21 & 29, 2015
 
After a sold out premier during KulturfestNYC in June 2015, The King of Chelm returns for a short run this November. Join Lost&Found on the exciting journey in this interactive childrens musical presented by Lost&Found Project - a FolksbieneRU Division.

About the musical: Meet Aaron, a young boy dreaming about being a super-hero, who one day finds himself magically transported from his own room to the strange and whimsical town of Chelm. In the upside-down and backwards universe of this small shtetl Aaron together with the fools and the wise men of Chelm will go on a journey to find out what it really means to be a hero. The King of Chelm is based on the poetry and short stories of well-known Soviet poet Ovsey Shike Driz.

The show is 1 hr long. After the performance the audience is invited to stay for a 30 min interactive workshop. For ages 4-12. 

When:       November 14, 15, 21 & 29, 2015 at 1:00 PM
Location:  Kraine Theater
Ticket:      $15 a special discount for COJECO community. Please click here to purchase ticket(s).

This project is made possible by the generous support of Natan Fund. FoksbieneRU is a partnership initiative of the Genesis Philanthropy Group and National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene.
Sixth Annual Global Day of Jewish Learning
Sunday, November 15, 2015

The Global Day of Jewish learning is a celebration of the unity of the Jewish people that is forged through learning our shared texts. This day reaches every corner of the Jewish world, bringing Jews of all backgrounds together in a day of study. A Project of the Aleph Society, it is under the aegis of Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz, the renowned Jewish scholar and teacher, and supports his mandate: "Let My People Know."  

The 2015 theme is "Love: Devotion, Desire and Deception". A curriculum addressing the theme, with different units for adult learners and for children, will be provided free of charge to registered participants. Register Here!

To learn more about the Global Day, please contact Zach Kohen at zach@theglobalday.org or 
for Russian-speaking programs, Yigal Kotler at yigal@theglobalday.org.

Come learn with Project Zug!

Project Zug is an online peer-to-peer learning (havruta) platform
 that allows you to choose your own learning partner, or let us find you one in Israel, the US, or around the world. This year Project Zug is especially reaching out to Russian-speaking Jews.
Choose from one of 17 courses on a wide range of topics and levels. Courses run for 12-weeks and are designed to be studied in a 45 min weekly havruta. Each course is a combination of videos and downloadable source sheets to be studied together. 

Registration is open now for the next round of learning, which will start on November 8, 2015.
Learning with Project Zug can help you:
  • Build a real relationship with someone in your community, or with someone new   
  • Engage with diverse and high quality Jewish educational content at all levels
  • Stay connected with a friend or family member from afar
Email info@projectzug.org with any questions.

COJECO Community Services

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!

Free Jewish Children's Books from PJ Library 

Sign up for free Jewish children's books to be mailed to your home every month!
Connect with COJECO
Established in 2001, COJECO is the central hub of the Russian-speaking Jewish community of NY that facilitates successful integration of Russian-speaking Jews into the greater Jewish community, while preserving our unique cultural heritage. Learn more at www.cojeco.org.



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