This summer, thousands of young Jews across Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union are coming together to explore their Jewish identities—many for the first time. From Belarus to Bulgaria, take a virtual tour of JDC’s acclaimed camp programs.
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.
Growing up in the Soviet Union, Julian and Victoria didn’t have access to Jewish formal education. But today their six-year-old son Daniel is in his fourth year at the Kharkov JCC and already speaks and reads basic Hebrew. Find out what’s next for the new Jewish generation in Ukraine.
Twenty-plus young Jews. Ten days. Six cities. “Go on the road” with the Purim Caravan performers and find out how JDC is energizing communities from Timisoara to Thessaloniki.
From painting flower pots to running a fruit-filled Tu B'Shvat seder, Berlin's cosmopolitan Jewish families appreciate innovative Bambinim programs offering quality and inclusion. Learn more about this multi-lingual "New Year for trees" celebration.
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.
JDC is helping Jewish children around the world celebrate Chanukah. Meet Benvenita, a student at Bulgaria's first Jewish preschool in 50+ years, which is being dedicated during the holiday.
JDC has helped the Bene Israelis a lot, especially in bringing them closer. JDC supports the community’s Jewish holiday celebrations, which includes sending people (through the JDC-supported Evelyn Peters Jewish Community Center in Mumbai) to conduct High Holiday services and seders in villages with synagogues such as Pen, Panvel, Alibag, and Nagaon.
In the former Soviet bloc countries of Central and Eastern Europe, where entire generations were cut off from their Jewish heritage and community life was actively discouraged, Jewish camping is a meaningful and effective outlet for building Jewish awareness and identity among children and families. These “total immersion” Jewish educational experiences have been a key part of JDC’s Jewish renewal activities for more than two decades, helping thousands of people in the region rediscover their Jewish roots and connect to a culturally rich and enduring community.
“I’ve participated in Gesher four years in a row because it provides an unparalleled opportunity to bond and connect with international peers in a Jewish context,” shared Olivera J., a 25-year-old medical student from Macedonia, after participating in the annual JDC-supported leadership development event for Jewish young adults from the Balkan-Black Sea region last month in Serbia.