Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia in the years after the fall of Communism, Masha Sergeeva, 21, grew up with limited understanding of—or pride in—her Jewish identity. That’s all changed now.
Julia Shoymaru, 18, is Deputy Director of Haverim, a JDC young leadership program in Chisinau (Kishinev), Moldova. She is the group’s proudest advocate, because this is where she found her home, her identity, and her voice.
Marina is an only child. She shares a rundown two-room flat in Minsk, Belarus with her parents, both of whom are disabled and struggle to subsist on a monthly pension. The Jewish community has been this family’s lifeline since Marina was a young girl. In addition to providing her with basic food and medicines, JDC has enabled Marina to attend Jewish camp, participate in Hillel activities, and attend myriad programs at the local JDC-supported Jewish Community Center (JCC).
Following her mother’s death, Katya was left alone to care for her blind father in their run-down apartment in Ukraine. Learn how JDC rescued this family and is reviving Katya’s Jewish future.
This summer, hundreds of kids are celebrating Jewish traditions and making new friends at JDC-supported camps in Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. Find out how Olameinu camp director Irina O. will make their experience unforgettable.
Since Tanya first learned she was Jewish at age 17, she has been making up for lost time. Learn how JDC’s Knafaim leadership development program is helping this Moscow entrepreneur explore her new identity and connect others to their vibrant community.
With JDC’s recent launch of Activi, an online Russian-language anthology of Jewish educational materials and creative program ideas are just a click away. Learn more about this comprehensive site that's inspiring meaningful Jewish activities across the former Soviet Union.