Kazakhstan

Overview

Kazakhstan is the largest of the former Soviet Union republics yet, because of harsh conditions and as a result of Stalin-era famine and massacres, it is a sparsely populated country with a population density of less than 15 people per square mile. It is estimated that Kazakhstan lost almost a quarter of its population during the 1920s and ’30s. Today, almost half of Kazakhstan’s population is Muslim, with another 44% of Russian descent. With the fall of communism, almost 18,000 Jews made aliyah (immigrated) to Israel; therefore, currently less than 1% of Kazakhstan’s population is Jewish.

Need

Kazakhstan is home to one of the larger elderly Jewish populations in the former Soviet Union. This aging population is scattered in more than 140 communities throughout the country, making outreach a challenge. In addition to the needs of an aging Jewish population, many Jewish children and their families cannot make ends meet, and want for basic nutrition and material assistance. There is also a need to help people rediscover the Jewish culture and heritage that were denied them during decades of Soviet rule.

Response

JDC works in 13 cities in Kazakhstan, providing welfare assistance and help in rediscovering the communal Jewish heritage. JDC’s efforts include:

• Home care, including laundry, cleaning, and bathing
• Hunger relief programs such as food packages, food cards, and hot meals in a cafeteria
• Urgent medical care and special needs like home repairs
• Critical assistance for children and youth at risk and their families
• Internet and radio programming that connects Jewish communities that are dispersed across this vast country

Impact

JDC is supporting Kazakh Jews engaged in creating a vibrant Jewish community while ensuring that the needs of vulnerable elderly and children are met.

• More than 1,200 elderly clients receive some form of food program annually
• Approximately 74,000 hours of home care are provided to 400 homebound clients
• Winter relief is provided annually to more than 400 clients
• More than 1,400 children at risk and their families receive social welfare services through the International Fellowship for Christians and Jews (IFCJ)-JDC Partnership for Children in the Former Soviet Union

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