Join COJECO in celebrating 17 years of service to the Russian-speaking Jewish Community.
Honoring:
Kate Kalmykov, COJECO Board Co-President, Greenberg Traurig LLC
Ronn Torossian, President and CEO, 5WPR, Philanthropist
Marina and Michael Zurakhinsky, Community Leaders, Founders of Zplay School and The Art Story Foundation
Keynote Address:
Rabbi Irving (Yitz) Greenberg, Scholar and Author
Special Remarks:
Honorable Danny Danon, Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations
Cocktail hour followed by program and dinner. Kosher dietary laws observed. Cocktail Attire.
For more information, please contact Alina Bitel at 212-566-2120, ext 514 or
[email protected]
COJECO Programs
COJECO B'nai Mitzvah Family Journey
We are excited to welcome
Bar/Bat Mitzvah children and their families to COJECO B'nai Mitzvah Family Journey Program! We have successfully launched the program in March. Together kids and parents have started their exploration of Jewish identity, culture, traditions. Mazal Tov and good luck to all the families!
We thank UJA-Federation of New York for its generous support of the program.
For more information about the program, please Click Here
COJECO Germany Close Up Experience
Application is now open
COJECO partners with Germany Close Up to bring Russian-speaking Jews ages 25 to 39 from across North America on an 8 day educational program to Germany. Russian-speaking Jewish young adults have the opportunity to explore the past and present of Jewish life in Germany, and experience modern Germany first hand.
For more information about the program and to apply, please follow thisLINK.
COJECO Project Dacha 2018
Project Dacha brings informal Jewish experiences directly to Russian-speaking Jewish families who spend their summers at upstate NY communities, Dachas, by providing fun hands-on workshops for children during the week and immersive family activities during the weekends.
Questions? Contact Nina Faynberg, COJECO Family Programs Director, [email protected]
EZRA USA in the partnership with COJECO
and American Forum for Russian Jewry launches its
Tenth Annual Veterans Appreciation Project
to honor Russian-speaking Jewish Veterans of World War II.
EZRA USA in the partnership with COJECO and American Forum for Russian Jewry launches its Tenth Annual Veterans Appreciation Project to honor Russian-speaking Jewish Veterans of World War II. On May 6-10, 2018, in commemoration and in honor of those who bravely fought during World War II, members of Ezra USA, COJECO and its partner organizations will visit Russian-speaking Jewish veterans living in Brooklyn and Queens to personally thank them for their noble service during WWII. Each veteran will receive special gifts prepared by members of the organization. With Russian-speaking Jewish veterans of World War II getting older, it is essential that we honor them now and keep the memory of their experiences alive. Bringing together several generations of Russian-speaking Jews will also serve to reinforce our community's unity. The Veterans Appreciation Project is representative of Ezra USA's focus on the Russian Jewish community in the United States. Ezra USA is dedicated to strengthening the Jewish identity of young Russian Jews in America. The organization serves about 7,000 young Russian Jews. Ezra USA emphasizes the teaching of Jewish values, leadership development, and, above all, the continuation of the Jewish people. If you are interested in more information about the project, please contact [email protected] or [email protected].
This project can't be realized without your support. 100% of the funds raised will go towards purchasing gifts for the veterans.
Victory Day celebrations by COJECO network organizations and partners
Every year our network organizations and partners gather to celebrate our heroes and organize community events that remind our veterans that they are remembered and cherished.
Events dedicated to celebrating the 73rd Anniversary of the Victory Day in World War II:
Association of WWII Veterans will gather to celebrate the Victory Day on May 9th at 7PM at Tatyana Restaurant.
New York Association of Holocaust Survivors will gather on May 9 at 5PM at the National Restaurant
Jewish Community of Starret City will gather its members to celebrate the Victory Day on
Thursday, May 10, 2018 at the National Restaurant.
We want to wish our Veterans many years of health and happiness!
Join COJECO and the Russian-speaking Jewish community in celebrating Israel
March in Celebrate Israel Parade on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan
Sunday, June 3rd
Join COJECO and the Russian-speaking Jewish community of NY and NJ in celebrating Israel. Israel is 70 and Awesome! Join the awesomeness - March with us on Fifth Avenue on Sunday, June 3, 2018.
Every year COJECO spearheads the participation of the Russian-speaking Jewish Community in Celebrate Israel Parade. This year we have already registered the RSJ cluster and would like to extend this invitation to our partner community organizations and individual members of the RSJ community.
Marching with us this year as part of united RSJ Community Cluster in support of Israel are our friends and partners from the Jewish Parent Academy, Mazel Day School, iMishpacha, Ezra USA - New York, RJeneration, NY Association of Jews from the Former Soviet Union, AEEJ Association of East-European Jewry, Jewish Community of Starrett City, Coordinating Council of Holocaust Survivors from the Former Soviet Union, Gorsky Kavkazi Jews of NY, קונגרס יהודי בוכרה - Bukharian Jewish Congressר, Bukharian Jewish Union - BJU, Metropolitan Russian American Parents Association, RAJE - Russian American Jewish Experience, Frujeli, Russian Speaking Jewish Community of Northern NJ and others.
See you on June 3rd as we march in support of Israel!
COJECO BluePrint Fellowship Events
На Всякий Случай
Project by Valerie Zimmer
Thursday, May 31, 7PM
Closing celebration and reception
at Marlene Meyerson JCC
After six weeks on display at the prestigious Harriman Institute at Columbia University, Valerie Zimmer's powerful photographic exhibit, Just in Case | На Всякий Случай will come to the JCC Manhattan for one night only on Thursday, May 31, 7pm for a closing celebration and reception.
Please join Valerie and other RSJ's for a closing reception in celebration of Just In Case | На Всякий Случай. In English. All are welcome.
Just in Case | На Всякий Случай is a series of photographs that explores the narrative of Russian-speaking Jewish immigrants through objects they brought with them.
The series of photo essays spotlights Russian-speaking Jewish immigrants and the possessions they've carried with them through their immigration journey and beyond. The project examines why we are so often attached to physical things. Do objects provide comfort to us through times of great change, stress, trauma? Are they little time capsules that not only remind us of the past, but also give us hope that someone in the future will remember us? Do we simply convince ourselves that they are indispensable because they will serve a utilitarian purpose or were difficult to procure?
Through the exhibit, Zimmer shows that once people start talking about physical objects, their personal immigration stories start to emerge. The personal possessions are the common thread that binds all immigrants, regardless of origins or cultures. Zimmer observes that there is always a hesitance to embrace a different person from another culture. "If we can minimize that by telling our stories to bridge the gaps in our understanding of foreign cultures and to build on an anthropological study of the immigrant experience, our community will be all the better for it", she believes. Her exhibition Just in Case | На Всякий Случай does just that.
This project is created as part of COJECO BluePrint Fellowship supported by COJECO and Genesis Philanthropy Group.
Join our friendly and tasty Shabbat dinner where we will explore our Russian Jewish identities, discuss what values and traditions we want to teach to our kids and where to start this process. We will enjoy dinner and great conversation while our kids participate in activities dedicated to celebration of Israel 70's birthday!
Cost: $70/family including all activities, dinner & wine for adults.
This project is created by Olga Khodosh as part of COJECO BluePrint Fellowship supported by COJECO and Genesis Philanthropy Group as well as by PJ Library of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation in partnership with Genesis Philanthropy Group.
More Than Chopped Liver - Interactive Cooking Experience
Project by Meribel M. Goldwin
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
at the Brownstone
COJECO BluePrint Fellowship and The Brownstone Wellness Series present:
Have you ever wondered how to make traditional Jewish recipes but in way that "trims the fat" yet maintains its flavour? It's time to stop wondering and get COOKING!!!
This event is an interactive cooking experience to showcase just how easy it is to prepare healthful, plant-based versions of traditional Eastern European and Jewish recipes. This evening will include an informative workshop and a hands-on cooking class, followed by a tasting of our creations! Guests will discover the history behind their favorite traditional Eastern European and Jewish appetizers, main dishes, and desserts and learn to make plant-based alternatives that taste as delicious as the original dishes while being significantly more health forward. The cost includes all of the ingredients, food prep materials, snacks, notes, beverages, and much, much more.
This project is created as part of COJECO BluePrint Fellowship, supported by COJECO and the Genesis Philanthropy Group, in partnership with The Brownstone wellness series.
"Survival Codes" - Musical Drama
Project by Alon Nechushtan
Thursday, June 28, 2018
8:00 - 9:30 PM
At Brooklyn Music School
"Survival Codes" is the first production by composer, pianist, and BMS faculty member Alon Nechushtan. It is an original musical drama based on true and historical, tumultuous events in the Jewry of the soviet unions. Two childhood friends, find a musical path to break free from all the political and social instability in their life, at a great cost.
This project is created as part of COJECO BluePrint Fellowship supported by COJECO and Genesis Philanthropy Group.
COJECO New Jersey
Join COJECO NJ for a Lag B'omer Potluck
Sunday, May 13, 4:30 - 7:30 PM
Join COJECO NJ for a Lag B'omer Family Potluck on a beautiful private lake. Sit around a campfire, listen to the story of the holiday while singing along your favorite campfire songs.
Bring your favorite food to nurture yourself and share with others, participate in family contests and enjoy great company.
Sunday, May 6 @ Columbia University, Faculty House
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
A truly unique event, organized and run entirely by volunteers, Limmud FSU has revolutionized pluralistic Jewish engagement of Russian-speaking Jews by involving them in an array of interactive workshops, intellectually-stimulating discussions, a festive Shabbat celebration, controversial debates, film screenings, artistic performances, music, dancing and much more. Hurry and Register!
Folksbiene.RY, Zplay School, Generation R
Tick Tock - Tween Drama Lab
Sunday, May 13, 2:00 PM
Marlene Mayerson JCC Manhattan
FolksbieneRU's Tween Drama ensemble, in partnership with Zplay School and the Generation R program, present original perspectives on heritage and identity, told powerfully through a focus on family clocks resurrected from the worlds of the past. All are invited to enjoy part of Mother's Day with us as we behold these aspiring tween actors showcasing their talents and finding their unique dramatic voices. A reception will follow the show. Tickets are only $10 are available here
Evgeny Kissin - Music and Poetry
Sun, May 6, 5:00PM
Florence Gould Hall
Meeting in New York with outstanding pianist of our day Evgeny Kissin, who will share with his admirers not only his musical genius, but also, unexpectedly, his literary talant. This is the unique opportunity to get acquainted closer with Evgeny Kissin through personal contact, to ask questions of music, life and creativity.
And of course, the night wouldn't be complete without piano music. Location Tickets $50-70-100 Buy tickets online or purchase by phone 1-800-982-2787 at the Box Office of Florence Gould Hall.
Hebrew Free Loan Society
Are You in Need of Financial Assistance?
The Hebrew Free Loan Society (HFLS) may be able to help.
For 125 years, HFLS has been providing 0% interest loans to low- and moderate-income New Yorkers in need. Loans are available for emergency and personal needs, higher education, vocational school, small business start-up or expansion, fertility treatments, adoption, and more. All HFLS loans have no interest, no fees, and reasonable repayment terms.
Visit the HFLS website at
www.HFLS.org to learn about loan programs and eligibility, or contact HFLS at (212) 687-0188 or [email protected].
HFLS a non-profit, UJA-Federation network agency.
Russian-speaking Facilitators Needed for
Virtual Senior Center Program
Using simple video-chat technology, homebound seniors participate in online programs facilitated by volunteers in a wide-ranging array of topics. Volunteers lead recurring classes from their home or office computer with a range of flexible scheduling options during the day, evening or weekend. Facilitating one hour, interactive classes on diverse topics enables you and the homebound seniors to have meaningful interactions.
Selfhelp is looking for Russian-speaking facilitators for the Virtual Senior Center, to participate in one hour class (on any topic that facilitator chooses: music and art appreciation, history, current events, seated exercise, games, health/wellness, sports, the sciences, cultures, travel, and literature. Any new ideas are welcome!)
Established in 2001, COJECO is the hub of the Russian-speaking Jewish community of NY that facilitates successful integration of Russian-speaking Jews into the greater Jewish community, while preserving our unique cultural heritage. Learn more at
www.cojeco.org.
