Madoff scheme deals new hit to FSU Jews

Published on December 24, 2008

The Ponzi scheme perpetrated by Bernard Madoff is the latest in a string of financial blows to Jewish aid programs in the former Soviet Union, wiping out a major foundation that was the primary funder of Jewish higher education in Russia

Jewish Agency wants changes in Israel conversion policy

Published on November 20, 2008

It calls on the government to establish Jewish religious courts that "will base themselves on appropriate moderate and tolerant prior halachic decisions to allow the conversion process to move forward.

Israeli women gymnasts train long and hard for Beijing games

By Dina Kraft
Published on July 31, 2008

On one side of a cavernous gym in Netanya, halfway between Tel Aviv and Haifa, six members of Israel's first Olympic rhythmic gymnastics team warm up in a circle, chatting softly in a mix of Russian and Hebrew while stretching their legs in effortless splits on the mat

Falling dollar hurts seniors in former Soviet Union

Published on June 19, 2008

After his wife died, the worker still came but less often, until global economic pressure forced the JDC to scale back operations for the "least needy" in the former Soviet Union. Six months ago, Zheleznyak began having to fend for himself.

Americans don’t forget Eastern Europe’s survivors

By Jane Ulman
Published on November 22, 2007

Galina's renewed sense of hope for her future -- for the chance to relax and to read and memorize her beloved poems about Victory Day -- comes as a result of the work of comedy director/producer Zane Buzby and the Survivor Mitzvah Project, a nonprofit humanitarian organization that brings direct financial assistance to about 700 elderly and ill Holocaust survivors in Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova and Lithuania.

Cafe Hillel marks new tactic to reach out to young people—in Odessa

By Matt Siegel
Published on November 1, 2007

Kiril Alexandrovich's Cafe Hillel, which was expected to open last week, is the first effort in Odessa at co-branding undertaken by Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life. The partnership aims to transform Jewish youth organizing in the former Soviet Union, leaving behind the club model and heading out into the cities, where young Jews work and play.

Hillel Steps Up Russia Outreach

By Lev Krichevsky
Published on February 26, 2004

In its 10 years of operating in the former Soviet Union, Hillel has reached thousands of Jewish students.

Now it's trying to reach more.

Fear of Travel ... Not

By Daniel Nehmad
Published on January 3, 2002

Violence in Israel is forcing thousands of North American Jewish youths to cancel plans to visit Israel this year.