1. “Camp made me feel more Today, most young Jewish communal
leaders and professionals in the FSU began
connected to my local Jewish their Jewish experience as a Jewish Agency
camper or counselor.
community and I want to learn
Some 20,000 children and teenagers take
even more about my Jewish part in Jewish Agency youth club activities
throughout the FSU.
heritage and culture. ”
-- Ilya, 17, camper from Yekaterinburg,
Across North America young Russian-
speaking Jewish émigrés are connecting
together to their Jewish heritage through
Engaging
Russia
exciting educational retreats.
MASA/Israel Journey inspires young people
from the FSU to spend a semester or year
Russian-
learning, volunteering and working in
Israel. Speaking
Jewry
Find out how you can make an impact: From Russia to Ukraine,
Tel: +972.2.620.2633 v 212.339.6048
E-mail: ask@jafi.org e ask@jewishagency.org Uzbekistan to Belarus, the
www.jewishagency.org
Jewish Agency ignites the
spark of identity at summer
The Jewish Agency is funded by The Jewish Federations of North America, Keren
Hayesod, major Jewish communities and federations, the International Fellowship of
Christians and Jews, foundations and donors from Israel and around the world.
and winter camps.

2. With over two million Russian- For many of the young people from the FSU and
Youth Clubs from all over the world who want to participate in
speaking Jews around the world,
The Jewish Agency operates youth clubs for tens of a long term Israel program, financial need remains
the Jewish Agency reconnects the thousands of children and teenagers throughout the the biggest obstacle. MASA provides a significant
next generation to the rich historical, FSU. These dynamic clubs harness the connection scholarship for these participants, giving them the
made in summer and winter camps and bolster Jewish opportunity to spend a semester or year in Israel on
cultural and religious legacy of their identity. Club activities are diverse and range from any number of academic, volunteer and internship
people with a diversified network of drama, music, and sport to folk-dancing and movie- programs. This encounter with Israel is a powerful
educational programs and services making, all with a focus on Jewish and Israeli themes. Jewish-identity builder. To date, nearly 10 percent
A large number of young people become actively of the expected 9,000 annual MASA participants
that spans four continents. engaged in their Jewish communities as a result of are from the FSU.
their club involvement, and go on to participate in Range of MASA scholarships (depending on country
Birthright Israel and MASA/Israel Journey. of origin and program length): up to $10,000.
Average cost for one youth club per year: $40,000
Summer and Winter Camps in the
Former Soviet Union Programs for Russian-Speaking
Hebrew Language Ulpanim and Jews in North America
Jewish Agency summer and winter camps are the
Basic Jewish Literacy The Jewish Agency is partnering with local Jewish
single most important entry point into Jewish life
for children and teenagers in the former Soviet Hebrew language ulpanim were the vanguard of community organizations to reach out to the “1.5
Union (FSU). Each year, these camps introduce Jewish education in the FSU, even before the fall of generation” of young people who grew up in North
thousands of young people to their Jewish heritage the Iron Curtain. Over the past decade, the ulpanim America, yet still absorb Russian culture from their
and connects them to Israel. Here they meet other have integrated both Hebrew language learning parents and grandparent who immigrated from
Jewish youth, discover pride in their heritage and and Jewish cultural literacy. Hundreds of thousands the FSU. These young adults are for the most part
become involved in Jewish educational activities of Jews, young and old, have connected to Jewish unfamiliar with their Jewish heritage.
such as youth clubs, Sunday schools and Jewish history and traditions through the ulpanim. Over
13,000 students study with a team of 300 teachers at Through programs which include leadership
holiday observance. Thousands have been trained
140 ulpanim throughout the FSU. training, educational retreats and engagement with
as camp counselors and gone on to run year-round
Israel, these young people explore and integrate
Jewish activities and become community leaders. Average annual cost per ulpan class: $7,000
their North American-Russian-Jewish identities,
From there many go to Israel through programs
learn about their Jewish heritage and become
such as Birthright Israel and MASA/Israel Journey.
MASA/Israel Journey involved in the wider Jewish community.
Average cost per camper per
MASA, the Hebrew word for “Journey,” is a strategic Average cost per program:
seven-day session: $924
partnership between the Jewish Agency , the Leadership training: $80,000
Government of Israel and global partners, that Educational retreats: $100,000
facilitates long-term educational and experiential Russian-speaking emissary: $120,000
Israel programs for 18-30 year-olds that forge a life-
long connection to Israel and the Jewish people.