Teaching the Teachers

"I remember the first time I discovered Hebrew," says Irina. "It was eight years ago, during one of my first visits to the synagogue."  She laughs, remembering how the discovery of a Hebrew-Russian primer changed the direction of her life.

Irina, an engineer, began to set aside time to teach herself Hebrew.  Soon, she was completely captivated by Jewish communal life.  With JDC’s guidance, she opened the first Jewish kindergarten in Samara.  She also helped pioneer the inaugural Jewish family camp in the FSU.  Recognizing Irina’s talent and drive, JDC selected her to participate in the Melton Program for FSU Jewish Educators.

Upon completion of the Melton Program, Irina found new doors opened to her – doors once firmly padlocked by the Soviet system.  She remained in her role as principal of the Jewish kindergarten, but she also began teaching Hebrew and Jewish history and traditions at Samara’s Jewish Sunday school.  She started lecturing at the Jewish People’s University of the Volga Region, eager to guide others who were trying to rediscover their Jewish roots.  She continues to organize the Samara Jewish Family Camp and is now planning this year’s annual JDC-sponsored seminar for kindergarten teachers. 

Because of her Melton training, Irina now directs an International Education Center, which oversees Jewish education in Samara and in the surrounding region. 

Irina and her fellow Melton graduates are raising the standards of Jewish education  in the FSU.  Their training gives them the knowledge, ideas and skills that will enable them to enrich the lives of Jewish children and adults for generations to come.