With about 100,000 Jews calling St. Petersburg home, organizations such as YESOD and Adain Lo are working to revitalize Jewish life. Multi-Week JSC Fellows will have the opportunity to volunteer with one of following vibrant Jewish camps.

The YESOD Jewish Cultural Center is the hub of Jewish communal life and is a symbol of Jewish renaissance for the people of St. Petersburg. YESOD is a large cultural center, where all kinds of informative and entertaining events are held regularly for people of all ages and in diverse formats. YESOD’s doors are open to all who would like to become more closely acquainted with Jewish culture. Read more about YESOD Jewish Cultural Center!

In order to secure a Jewish future for the vulnerable communities, YESOD focuses on the next generation, who will be the leaders in reestablishing Jewish life and culture. Multi-Week JSC Fellows will connect with the vibrant local Jewish community by supporting educational enrichment at the YESOD JCC’s bi-annual language camp, Tiul International. Tiul International is a Jewish holiday language camp organized by YESOD in cooperation with The Jewish Agency For Israel. Children have the opportunity to practice their English through engaging in informal educational activities within a Jewish context. Click here to watch a short video on last year’s Tiul International program.

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.

Multi-Week JSC Fellows will serve as counselors at the Adain Lo’s Fall Jewish Camp, where 150 Jewish children ages 7-16 years old come together, many from lower income families. Fellows will serve as madrichim (counselors), working alongside local madrichim and madrichim from Israel, in order to run a successful camp. Fellows will be responsible for running informational education sessions on Hebrew and English as well as lead activities such as dancing, singing, sports and art!

In addition to the Jewish Camps, Multi-Week JSC Fellows will spend a week in the local St. Petersburg community, volunteering with teens, elderly and the Adain Lo’s kindergartens. Overall, Fellows will gain an insider perspective into Jewish life in St. Petersburg and the work JDC does in the local community