Grants in North America

Through two new educational programs supported by Genesis Philanthropy Group in 2011, Russian-speaking Jewish young adults and their families got an opportunity to meaningfully engage in communal Jewish life and strengthen their Jewish identities. The programs were:

Purim Extravaganza: The Family Purim Extravaganza featured a performance by a Russian Jewish children’s theatre, a Megillah reading, and a family masquerade carnival. Attended by over 200 people, the Purim program taught about the importance and traditions of this great Biblical holiday in a fun and creative way.

Yom HaShoah Educational Program: In commemoration of Yom HaShoah, a full day was dedicated to Holocaust education for young families. Children engaged in age-appropriate lessons and met with Holocaust survivors, and families visited the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C. for the first time.

Financial support for the project was provided by Genesis Philanthropy Group along with other generous funders.

Goals and Objectives

• Increase knowledge of the Holocaust among Russian-speaking Jewish children and their families.
• Create stronger connections between members of the Russian-speaking Jewish community.
• Encourage Russian-speaking Jews to more actively participate in Philadelphia’s Jewish community.