LIVE IN
ST.PETERSBURG
VOLUNTEER
MAKE AN IMPACT
JSC Summer Experience | RUSSIA
VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT(PLACEMENTS MAY INCLUDE A COMBINATION OF THE FOLLOWING)
ADAIN LO JEWISH FAMILY CENTER
With 100,000 Jews calling St. Petersburg home, The Adain Lo Jewish Family Center in St. Petersburg is among the largest provider of Jewish programs for children and families in the city. Offering a full range of Jewish services and programs, The Adain Lo Jewish Family Center has existed for over 20 years and serves more than 4,000 people and 1,500 families. Adain Lo’s model for Jewish education is based on pluralism and a holistic approach to the Jewish family. A vocal advocate on the topic of disabilities and among the first organizations in Russia to hire people with disabilities, Adain Lo is recognized for their inclusive community practices. In 1991 Adain Lo was started from a kitchen table by a woman named Genia Lvova. As underground Jewish activists, Genia and her friends wished to reach impoverished St. Petersburg families and children. When asked if they practiced Jewish rituals, these first members replied, “adain lo” (Hebrew for “not yet”), which became their incentive to learn more and thus the organization was given its name. JDC supports Adain Lo in various ways in order to further develop the Jewish community of St. Petersburgh, which was previously dormant of Jewish life due to the communist regime. Today, Adain Lo is educating a new generation of Jews, making sure Jewish life in St. Petersburg thrives.
Fellows will work with children at Adain Lo-supported kindergartens, supporting teachers in delivering educational curricula that are specially designed to develop the children`s Jewish identity through creative work. In the kindergartens, the children enjoy classes in Hebrew, Jewish music, Jewish visual art, and tradition.
Adain Lo also hosts a summer camp for 150 Jewish children ages 7-16, some of whom have special needs. Fellows will serve as madrichim (counselors), working alongside local madrichim and madrichim from Israel, in order to run a successful summer camp. Fellows will be responsible for running educational sessions on Hebrew and English as well as lead activities such as dancing, singing, sports and art.
YESOD TIUL CAMP
Organized by the YESOD Jewish Cultural Center (JCC), the hub of Jewish communal life and the symbol of Jewish renaissance for the people of St. Petersburg, the YESOD Tiul Camp is a Jewish holiday language camp run in partnership with the Jewish Agency for Israel. Campers have the opportunity to practice their English through engaging in informal educational activities within a Jewish context. Fellows will assist in running the Tiul Camp by providing formal lessons and informal educational activities.
ABOUT THE JEWISH COMMUNITY OF RUSSIA
Even before the recent global economic crisis, Russia had been experiencing dramatic changes, with a continuously growing gap between rich and poor and increasing migration of people moving from the country’s periphery to its urban centers in search of new opportunity.
From Moscow to Siberia to the Far East region, JDC supports Jews in 600-plus locations, aiding elderly and impoverished families who live in each of Russia’s nine time zones. More than two decades after the fall of communism—which hindered the development of Jewish life in this vast country for over 70 years—JDC continues to create opportunities for Jews to reconnect to their tradition and to develop Jewish communities that are capable of responding effectively to the needs of their members.Learn more at JDC’s Russia website!
Program Dates:
End of May – End of July, 2017(exact dates TBD shortly)
Application Deadline
March 20,2017
Desired Qualifications:
- Basic Russian not necessary but preferred for Adain Lo.
- Fluent Russian is a must for the Tiul Camp.
- Background or interest working with children
- Background or interest in working on educational programs
- Informal Jewish educational experience and or camp experience
- Energetic, flexible, open minded, and independent
- “Team player” and an ability to work collaboratively
- Other helpful skills may include arts, music, theatre, etc.
Participation Fee: $1350 *
This includes:
- Housing
- Group activities and excursions
- Airport pick up/drop off in overseas location
- Meals while at Camp
- Comprehensive health and emergency evacuation insurance
- Visa (required for US passport holders; JDC will manage the visa application process)
- On-the-ground staff support
This does not include:
- Int’l airfare
- Meals while not at Camp
- Local transportation
- Leisure activities
- Personal expenses
APPLY NOW
The applications for the Multi-Week Jewish Service Corps – Summer 2017 session is now open!
Fill out this form if you’re interested in applying and we will send you an email with the applic
CONTACT
Entwine is a one-of-a-kind movement for young Jewish leaders, influencers, and advocates who seek to make a meaningful impact on global Jewish needs and international humanitarian issues. We do this by offering service experiences in Jewish communities around the world, educational events and programs, and leadership development opportunities. Entwine is an initiative of JDC, the largest Jewish humanitarian organization in the world. JDC works in 70 countries, specializing in humanitarian aid, Jewish community renewal and disaster relief. Learn more: www.jdcentwine.org
About the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC): For over 95 years, JDC has provided rescue, relief, and renewal for Jewish communities outside of North America, helped Israel meet the needs of its most vulnerable citizens, and offered a Jewish response to natural and man-made disasters and non-sectarian development needs around the world. JDC’s work in over 70 countries is inspired by Jewish values of mutual responsibility, that kol yisrael areivim zeh l’zeh (all of Israel is responsible for one another), and tikkun olam, that Jews have an obligation to repair the world. Learn more: www.jdc.org