Spring is here and Purim is around the corner! There is a myriad of incredible events happening in the Russian-speaking Jewish community. Get ready to mark your calendars! We hope to see you soon.
Warmest Regards,
COJECO Team
COJECO Family Programs
Project Dacha and Generation R Purim Bash
Sunday, March 27, 2016 at 11:00 AM
COJECO Project Dacha in partnership with GenerationR invite you to a Purim Bash for Russian-speaking Jewish families!
Enjoy a short performance of the story of Purim followed by fun hands-on activity stations that will have you crafting, solving puzzles, tackling challenges, learning and laughing! Snacks will be served. Reunite with old friends and meet new families from the community. This program is for families with children ages 3-12.
Learn about Project Dacha and get premiere access to early-bird registration for the summer program.
When: March 27, 2016, 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM Where: JCC Manhattan - 334 Amsterdam Ave at 76th Street Tickets: $12/adult, $8/child, children 2 and under free. Purchase your ticket(s) here.
Join Russian-speaking Jewish families for a summer weekend at camp, bringing together parents and children for a weekend of family fun, exploration, and learning!
Taking place at Camp Kinder Ring in Hopewell Junction, NY, just 90 minutes from NYC, this unique immersive experience offers workshops for adults, activities for kids divided by age group, outdoor sports, as well as fun and games for the whole family!
Project Dacha brings informal Jewish experiences directly to Russian-speaking Jewish families who spend their summers at upstate NY cabin communities, Dacha, by providing fun hands-on workshops for children during the week and immersive family activities during the weekends.
This year, Project Dacha is coming to TWO LOCATIONS!
Stay tuned for details and registration coming soon!
Albert's Bungalow Colony in Liberty, NY
July 10 - July 30, 2016
London Cottages in White Lake, NY
July 17 - August 6, 2016
For more information, please contact Nina Faynberg, COJECO Program Coordinator.
COJECO RSJ Symposium
SAVE THE DATE: COJECO RSJ Symposium 2016
Two Days: August 1 - 2
Announcing the 2nd COJECO RSJ Symposium in NYC - this time two days! - for Jewish professionals working with Russian-speaking Jewish communities in North America toward the goals of Jewish identity development and community building.
Shulamit, an opera originally created as part of the COJECO Blueprint Alumni Project Series by Dina Pruzhansky, Rita Mitsel, Nadya Meikson, Irina Sheynfeld. Having premiered her one-act opera at the JCC in the fall 2014, Shulamit is back with a full-scale version of this ambitious piece. A 12-person live orchestra accompanies a cast of renowned performers, while elaborate costumes and sets bring the musical drama to life.
The story, based on the Song of Songs, takes place in ancient Jerusalem during the reign of King Solomon and is a classic love story with a twist. The memorable melodies make Shulamit's dramatic fate that much more compelling.
When: March 3 and 5, 2016 at 8:00 - 9:30 PM Where: JCC Manhattan - 334 Amsterdam Avenue, NYC Tickets: $25 JCC members/$30 public. A 20% discount with a coupon code: BPF
COJECO partners with Germany Close Up to bring Russian-speaking Jewish young adults from all over North America on 9-day educational trips to Germany. Young Russian-speaking Jews have the opportunity to explore the past and present of Jewish life in Germany and experience modern Germany first hand.
To APPLY email Leah Volynsky to request the application.
B'nai Mitzvah Family Journey
B'nai Mitzvah Family Journey
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.
If you have a child ages 9-13, you may be wondering what would be a personal meaningful way to prepare for and celebrate their Bar or Bat mitzvah. Help us customize and tailor this program to your needs and interests.
The Russian American Cultural Center is pleased to invite you to their annual film festivals - premiere screenings, access to unreleased independent films, documentaries, film festival favorites, and engaging discussions with the filmmakers and experts:
The Art Film Festival When: Saturday, March 5, 2016, 1:00-8:00 PM Where: Ida K. Lang Recital Hall at Hunter College, 695 Park Ave, New York, NY 10065 Tickets: $15 single film or the whole program | Hunter College students: $5. Purchase your ticket(s) here.
The Diaspora & Israeli Russian Film Festival When: Sunday, March 6, 2016, 1:00-7:00 PM Where: Ida K. Lang Recital Hall at Hunter College, 695 Park Ave, New York, NY 10065 Tickets: $15 single film or the whole program | Hunter College students: $5. Purchase your ticket(s) here.
Please note: photo ID is required for entry into the college. Please allow additional time for check.
For Russian-Speaking Jewish (RSJ) Young Professionals
Application Deadline: March 1, 2016
JDC Entwine invites you on a week-long immersive experience to Georgia specifically tailored for Russian-speaking Jewish (RSJ) young professionals from throughout North America. This is a unique travel opportunity to discover and explore Georgia's Jewish community first-hand while connecting with your fellow RSJs.
-- Experience the revival of Jewish life in the Caucasus region
-- Connect with the local community through visits, meaningful volunteer work, and conversations with local leadership -- Soak up Georgian culture, nightlife, and cuisine like a local
Join Zplay over wine and holiday treats while our kids enjoy organized play, music & crafts. Kids will be making masks, noise shakers, play, sing & dance. This event is for families with kids 1-5 y/o.
All kids will join a professional puppet show and will be able to play along with puppets an become little puppeteers on their own.
We encourage you to wear costumes!
When: Sunday, March 27, 2016, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Tickets: $35 for 1 child + 1 adult or $50 family ticket (2 adults and all their (legal) children). Space is limited! Purchase your tickets today!
For more info, please email Zplay or and visit Facebook event.
UJA-Federation of New York: Russian Division Signature Event
Thursday, March 31, 2016, 6:30 PM
UJA-Federation of NY invites you to its Russian Division Signature Event, a night to celebrate. And a night to give back. Your generosity will help UJA and the Israel Trauma Coalition, which reaches Israelis coping with ongoing violence. ITC has assisted survivors of terrorist attacks everywhere from New York to Paris. Its expertise is unmatched.
Emcee Boris Fishman, NYT Bestselling Author
Featuring honored guest Amir Sagie, Deputy Consul General of Israel
And keynote speaker Izzy Ezagui, IDF Lone Soldier
When: Thursday, March 31, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. Where:The Bowery Hotel - 335 Bowery, Manhattan Tickets:$360* per person. Purchase your ticket here or call 212-836-1609 or email Lena Katsnelson. If you use the code "COJECO" when you call to register, you will receive a $50 discount off of the ticket price. The first 100 to register will receive Boris Fishman's new book coming out in March 2016.
*$125 of your contribution per person -- the value of the event -- is not tax-deductible.
Brandeis University High School Program
Applications are open for the Summer Programs for Teens at Brandeis University. Find more details about each program here.
* App Design Boot Camp * Design Lab Fall/Winter Fellowships * Genesis Precollege Programs * BIMA * Genesis * Young Leaders Conference on Israel Studies * Service Corps * Global Youth Summit on the Future of Medicine
Spring Admission Deadline: March 30, 2016
For more information and with questions about programs or the application process,
This study, "Assessing the Employment Service Needs of Russian-speaking Jewish Communities In NYC," is funded by UJA-Federation of NY. The goal is to see if existing services in the community are sufficient to meet the community's needs.
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.
COJECO Project Dacha in partnership with GenerationR invite you to a Purim Bash for Russian-speaking Jewish families!
Join Russian-speaking Jewish families for a summer weekend at camp, bringing together parents and children for a weekend of family fun, exploration, and learning! 
