March 2009 Report

Stanford University - Moscow
Student Leadership Program
Станфорд – Москва
Поездка Студентов Лидеров
March 23-30, 2009
PROGRAM REPORT
Lesley Weiss, NCSJ Director of Community
Services and Cultural Affairs
Program Coordinators
Lesley Weiss, Director of Community Services and Cultural Affairs, NCSJ
Dmitry Maryasis, Director, Moscow Hillel
Anna Ermanok, Public Relations Director, Moscow Hillel
Sam Berrin Shonkoff, Jewish Student Life Coordinator, Hillel at Stanford University
Student Participants
Stanford University
Moscow Hillel
Shira Beery
Anton Babich
Julia Greenberg
Masha Filimonova
Helen Helfand
Lilly Gaydukova
David Kessler
Lidya Khessed
Mariya Kupershmidt
Svetlana Lerman
Matthew Levy
Galina Petrenko
Miriam Marks
Marina Purmel
Amanda Mener
Ilya Tsarfin
Introduction
From March 23-30, 2009, students from Stanford University traveled to Moscow and joined
with students from several Russian universities in a select student leadership program focused
on advocacy and cross-cultural dialogue. The program, developed and coordinated by NCSJ
in collaboration with Stanford University and Moscow Hillels, is supported by the Koret
Foundation, Taube Foundation for Jewish Life and Culture, and the Jewish Community
Endowment Fund of the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco the Peninsula, Marin
and Sonoma Counties.
The eight-day seminar brought together Jewish students from America and Moscow. The
Stanford and Moscow students were paired as roommates, allowing them to informally interact
and develop friendships with one another. The major themes addressed during the week
included Jewish religious and organizational life, Jewish identity, anti-Semitism, and
democracy-building.
NCSJ, an advocate for Jewish communities in the successor states of the former Soviet Union
(FSU) for over thirty years, provided the program with a unique and critical perspective about
government and community-level Jewish life and institutions. Stanford University Hillel
provided professional staff assistance in selecting and preparing the American students while
Moscow Hillel helped to coordinate the program in Moscow.
Program participants in Red Square
The project is an important part of NCSJ’s ongoing mission to link Jewish communities in the
U.S. and former Soviet Union, as well as to develop a new generation of activists. The trip was
preceded by two in-depth orientation sessions at Stanford. Dr. Steven J. Zipperstein, the
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Daniel E. Koshland Professor in Jewish Culture and History, discussed the history of Jews in
the Soviet Union. Lesley Weiss, the project director, led a discussion about the goals,
expectations, and details of the program. Moscow students met for an orientation with Moscow
Hillel staff.
Program Highlights
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Meeting at Russian Foreign Ministry
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Briefings at the U.S. Embassy and the Israeli Cultural Center
Meetings with Euro-Asian Jewish Congress and the Russian Jewish Congress representatives
Lunch with Chief Rabbi of Russia, Adolf Shayevich, and Russian Jewish Congress President,
Yuri Kanner, at the Choral Synagogue

Shabbat lunch with Chief Rabbi of Russia, Berel Lazar, at Marina Roscha Synagogue and
Jewish Community Center
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Meeting with media representatives
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Meeting with NCSJ leadership
Discussions on anti-Semitism in Russia and the United States
Visits to home-bound elderly and JDC’s Chesed Chamah
Discussions on democracy, media freedom, and Jewish identity
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Home hospitality and touring
Meeting with Genesis Philanthropy Group
Meeting with Progressive Rabbi Alexander Lyskovoy
Visit to Moscow Jewish Children’s Home and Etz Chaim Day School
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Meeting with Project Kesher
Kabbalat Shabbat with Jewish Agency for Israel
Views of Moscow during the eight-day visit
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REPORT
MOSCOW JEWISH LEADERSHIP MEETINGS
Dr. Mikhail Chlenov is the General Secretary of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC),
which defends the rights and interests of the Jewish people and officially represents the Jewish
communities of the Euro-Asian region. Dr Chlenov discussed the history of the Russian Jewish
community and its current state, as well as described the revival of Russian Jewish life as a
“secular culture with its own religious traditions.”
Chief Rabbi of Russia, Adolf Shayevich,
hosted the group at the Choral Synagogue.
He discussed his life and work at the oldest
and largest synagogue in Moscow during
Soviet times through the present. He spoke
about the history of the Jewish community in
Moscow, and the renewal of Jewish life in
Russia. Moscow participant Galina Petrenko
said, “It was wonderful to meet Rabbi
Shayevich because he is one of the people
who saved Jewish culture during Soviet
times and revived community life in Moscow
after the USSR collapsed…he is still a kind
of hero for all the Soviet Jews.” Yuri Kanner,
President of the Russian Jewish Congress (l.-r.) Rabbi Adolf Shayevich, Moscow participant
Galina Petrenko and RJC President Yuri Kanner
(RJC), discussed the role of the RJC in representing the interests of the whole spectrum of modern Russian Jewry, and the movement
toward self-organized and self-financed community projects. He also spoke about his work in
protecting and memorializing the massacre sites of the Holocaust.
Chief Rabbi of Russia, Berel Lazar, discussed his work with the Federation of Jewish
Communities of the CIS (FEOR), whose mandate is to restore life, culture, and religion
throughout the former Soviet Union by providing assistance, educational support, and funding
to member communities. During Shabbat lunch at the Marina Roscha Synagogue and Jewish
Community Center, Rabbi Lazar spoke about his interaction with Russian government officials
on behalf of Jewish communities and his work in developing and managing the Jewish
communities of FEOR. American participant Amanda Mener liked visiting the Chabad center
and “witnessing their vibrant and all-encompassing community.”
EMBASSY BRIEFINGS
Eric Rubin, Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States Embassy in Moscow briefed the
group about U.S.-Russian relations, human rights, anti-Semitism, press freedom, and the
Moscow Jewish community.
Mr. Rubin discussed changes in U.S.-Russian relations following the conflict in Georgia last
summer. He noted that both the U.S. and Russia have reduced inflammatory rhetoric and that
the Obama Administration hopes to further improve the bilateral relationship. Additionally, the
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United States would like to partner with Russia and address pressing world problems. While
the new administration recognizes that there may be disagreements, they hope to focus on
areas of agreement. American participant Matthew Levy observed that “the speakers at the
Embassy were incredibly knowledgeable as to the historic and socioeconomic issues of the
U.S.-Russia relationship, as well as the plight of the Jews.”
At the U.S. Embassy in Moscow
Yuval Fuchs, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Israel,
described his country’s bilateral relations with Russia as positive
and improving. He spoke about Russia’s participation in the
Group of Six concerning Iran and nuclear weapons and Israel’s
concerns about Iran and Syria. He also spoke about thenPresident Putin’s visit to Israel in 2005, and the frequent
subsequent visits of other Russian officials to the Jewish state.
American participant Shira Beery observed that this meeting
“gave a different dimension to the U.S.-Russian relationship and
more clearly established the place of the Russian Jewish
community in the mix.” Moscow participant Anton Babich said
“The most free and honest [speaker] was the diplomat from the
Embassy of Israel.”
Yuval Fuchs
MEDIA BRIEFINGS
Alexei Venidiktov, Editor-in-Chief of Echo
Moskvy Radio, met with students at the
radio station. He spoke about the realities of
broadcasting in Russia and maintaining a
balance between Russian government
approval and press freedom. He stressed
his independence and observed that if he
pleased everyone, then he was doing
something wrong. He described his radio
station as not oppositional or liberal, but as a
professional place of discussion where the
public can become experts because all
views are represented, with the exception of
fascists.
(l.-r.) Shira Beery, Julia Greenberg, Lilly Gaydukova, Alexei Venidiktov
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This meeting was particularly exciting for the Moscow students, most of who regularly listen to
the radio broadcast. “For us in Russia, he is clearly an icon in the media,” said Moscow
participant Galina Petrenko.
Yonatan Pomrenze (right), Field
Producer for NBC News, Grant
Slater
(center),
Moscow
Correspondent for Jewish Telegraph
Agency, and free-lance journalist
Miriam Elder (left) provided a
Western perspective on covering
Jewish interest stories and other
news in Russia. American participant
Mariya Kupershmidt noted that “the
freedom (or lack thereof) of the press
is one of the greatest and most
important differences…between our
two countries.”
RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT MEETING
Our meeting with Igor S. Neverov, Director of the North American Department of the Russian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, took place during the Ministry’s preparations for the meeting
between Presidents Medvedev and Obama in London. Mr. Neverov provided an overview of
Russian-U.S. bilateral relations starting from the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist
attacks, when he said then-President Putin offered unprecedented cooperation with the United
States. For the first time, U.S. bases were located on Russia’s border and there was a strong
anti-terrorism alliance. Then the focus of the U.S. administration shifted from anti-terror to
weapons of mass destruction and rogue states, which was a move that Russia never agreed
to. Russia was not perceived as a completely equal party. Georgia and Ukraine became
special U.S. projects, and Russian concerns were neglected. The final straw was Georgia,
when President Saakashvili used the United States for his aims. He expressed hope that the
new U.S. Administration would be less ideological and take a fresh look at some of the areas
of disagreement between the two countries.
In response to questions about antiSemitism and xenophobia in Russia,
he said that no country is free from
extremism and anti-Semitism, but that
it was not a consistent phenomenon in
Russia. He further stated that Russian
President Medvedev meets regularly
with
members of the Jewish
community and that there are close
family ties with Israel because of its
population of 1.5 million Russians.
Igor S. Neverov and Lesley Weiss (center)
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American participant Julia Greenberg said, “The meeting provided a great overview of Russia’s
global position.” Moscow participant Ilya Tsarfin added, “It was really interesting for us to hear
about the situation in Russia from our politicians.”
GROUP DEBRIEFINGS AND STUDENT DISCUSSIONS
Jewish genealogy and identity
In addition to discovering our common interests and learning about contemporary Jewish life in
Russia, we also shared our family histories. Not surprisingly, the common thread in all of their
lives were their grandparents (or at least one grandparent) born in this part of the world (e.g.,
Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Belarus, Moldova). Students spoke about family members who were
victims of the Holocaust or who survived and immigrated to Israel and elsewhere. Others
talked about grandparents serving in the Soviet Army, while others were evacuated to Siberia.
Although the two groups of students are settled in different parts of the world, it was exciting to
learn about their common roots. Each shared story reflected a piece of the story of the Jewish
people. Moscow participant Svetlana Lerman observed that “most of the American students
have Russian roots, as I learned from their biographies, and their grandparents were originally
from here.”
On Shabbat afternoon, Sam
Shonkoff, Stanford’s Jewish
Student Life Coordinator,
facilitated a discussion with
the group about Jewish
identity. The main questions
raised were “What do I love
most about being Jewish?”
and “What do I struggle with
most about being Jewish?”
The students pondered these
questions and responded
based on their own personal
experiences, memories, pasDima Maryasis (far right) facilitates a group discussion
sions, and challenges.
It was clear that Jewish identity was defined by both strong trends and deep diversity. One of
the most profound aspects of this discussion for students was observing ways in which
Russian and American students answered these questions similarly and differently. This
dialogue sparked many other informal conversations among students for the rest of the trip.
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Anti-Semitism in Russia
Various speakers throughout the week, such as
EAJC’s Semyon Charney, FEOR’s Andrew
Glotser, and Victor Dashevsky talked about the
decrease in violent acts of anti-Semitism in
Russia. However, anti-Semitic attitudes remain
strong in Russian society and are a central part
of every national movement. The speakers
presented a list of recent incidents including
university books listing Judaism as a radical
sect, the perpetuation of the myth of blood libel,
and the increase of anti-Semitic publications.
Moscow participant Lilly Gaydukova commented, “The presenters spoke openly and
EAJC
independently, which induces future action.”
Moscow Executive Director Natasha
Schmidt, and anti-Semitism experts Victor
Dashevsky, Andrew Glotser and Semyon Charney
VISITS TO JEWISH INSTITUTIONS
American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and Visits to Home-Bound Elderly
At Chesed Chamah
Student visit to home-bound elderly
The group split up to visit and bring food packages to home-bound elderly members of the
community, an experience that particularly touched many of the students. The group
reconvened at Chesed Chamah, the oldest charity organization in Moscow, for lunch and to
learn about the elderly clients who receive medical assistance, food, spiritual support, and
other services funded by JDC. “Our visit to lonely, old people who really need care, attention,
and communication was a highlight for me”, said Moscow participant Marina Purmel. American
participant Helen Helfand said, “I truly felt I was making a difference and learning a lot while
doing it.”
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Etz Chaim Jewish Day School
The student leadership participants
enjoyed a tour of the Jewish Day School.
Most of the Moscow students had never
visited a Jewish day school before, and
several expressed interest in some-day
sending their children to a school like Etz
Chaim in the future. American participant
Mariya Kupershmidt said, “It was really
interesting to see because it showed us
how Judaism is taught to young children
and how they come to understand their
Jewish background in Moscow.”
Moscow Jewish Children’s Home
A highlight of the week was the visit to the
Jewish Children’s Home, where we met
orphans and children from troubled families.
The home is directed by husband and wife
Svetlana and Rafael Xiaxiashvili. The
children attend Etz Chaim Jewish Day
School. The group presented games, books,
and candy to the children and enjoyed a
musical presentation. “The visit was, in
many ways, the most remarkable
component of the trip…I was humbled by
the couple who run the orphanage…for the
love they show for abandoned children and
for the firm emphasis they place on Judaism
in their upbringing” said American participant
A performance at the Moscow Jewish Children’s Home
David Kessler. Moscow participant Lidya
Khessed added, “I was impressed by the
familiar warm atmosphere.”
E-Club (Young Leadership)
The group met for dinner with members of the E-Club (also known as Project Moshe). It is
directed by Eugenia Mikhaleva, Director General of the Federal Jewish Ethnic-Cultural
Autonomy of Russia, and Svetlana Muterperel, Phoenix Charity Foundation Chairperson. The
club, which is made up of Moscow Jews between the ages of 25-45, seeks to develop
leadership skills, encourage participation of members in local Jewish community charity
activities, and encourage families to participate in Jewish community life. Also joining us during
the evening were three past Moscow participants of the NCSJ Student Leadership Programs
from 1999 and 2001 who have remained active in the Jewish community.
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Genesis Philanthropy Group
The group enjoyed meeting with Stanley Polovets, President and CEO of Genesis
Philanthropy Group, and his associates. He discussed the history and goals of the foundation
emphasizing their focus on secular Jewish education and culture for Russian speakers around
the world. American participant Miriam Marks said, “The most meaningful [visit to Jewish
organizations] was with the representative of Genesis who discussed the more secular and
cultural Judaism of the Russian youth. As what one might call a more ‘secular’ Jew myself, I
was very interested in the expansion of the Jewish community in Moscow comprised of young
Jews like me.”
At the Genesis Philanthropy Group offices with Stanley
Polovets (far right)
(l.-r.) former Moscow Program participants
with Lesley Weiss and Eugenia Mikhaleva
Additional highlights
Additional highlights during the week included a visit with Rabbi Alexander Lyskovoy, Chief
Rabbi of the Progressive movement at the Memorial synagogue at Poklonnaya Hill. The group
lit Shabbat candles with Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) student leaders at Moscow Hillel, and
attended Shabbat services at the Marina Roscha Synagogue. In smaller numbers of four and
five, the members of the group visited the homes of Moscow students for dinner with their
families. Moscow participant Masha Filimonova described the dinner with [Moscow participant]
Anton’s grandmother as a “turning point…she told us about anti-Semitism at the beginning and
middle of the 20th century.”
Highlights also included a tour of the Kremlin, a meeting with NCSJ member agency Project
Kesher, a historic walking tour of Moscow, and a farewell dinner at the Bolshaya Bronnaya
Synagogue.
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Moscow participants with Svetlana Yakimenko,
NIS Director, Project Kesher
Rabbi Alexander Lyskovoy
(left) Home hospitality with Moscow students’
families; (right) Motya Chlenov, of World Congress
of Russian Jewry, leads a historic walking tour of
Moscow
Conclusion
An eight-day trip to Moscow is an exciting prospect for any U.S. student. Spending twenty-four
hours a day for eight days with U.S. students was revelatory for the Russian participants. For
both groups of students, NCSJ’s access to American, Russian and Israeli government officials
and Jewish community leaders was critical to the program’s unique quality and success. The
joint participation in these meetings of Moscow and U.S. students was a mutual experience in
learning. As important as the meetings were, the students’ shared experiences as roommates,
and their discussions about anti-Semitism, Jewish identity, issues of democracy, and Moscow
Jewish life were equally meaningful.
The program informed and inspired this group of young adults about Jewish life Russia, Jewish
identity, and leadership development. The extraordinary quality of the program is reflected in
the appended excerpts from the student’s formal review of the program.
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STUDENT IMPRESSIONS (excerpts)
David Kessler
Stanford University ‘11
History (Jewish History
concentration)
I certainly feel that this trip has reinforced to me the centrality of Judaism
in my own life. I have always vaguely felt that I care for the welfare of
every Jew, but to participate in a trip like this proved to me how much I
sincerely feel for Jews all over the world. I was able to connect with
involved members of the Russian Jewish community in a way that I cannot
with my own non-Jewish friends and neighbors here at Stanford. This trip
has also exposed me to what I now hope might be a future career of mine—
to work for a nonprofit organization such as NCSJ in order to serve less
privileged Jewish communities. Before this trip, I had never even
considered such a career option, but I now feel that such a choice is fully
open to me. Until then, I certainly intend to continue immersing myself in
Jewish life and Jewish practices to whatever extent possible.
The visits with Moscow Jewish leaders and Jewish organizations expanded
my knowledge of Judaism and Jewish practices in Moscow a lot. For
example I didn’t know about the Chesed Chamah, Jewish Children House
(orphanage) of Stan Polovets, one of the sponsors of different Jewish
cultural projects. I suppose these are the items that impressed me most of
all.
After this program I regained a feeling that I need to pay more attention to
the Jewish part of my life, to stay part of the Jewish community (and not
only Moscow Jewish community). For example I didn’t celebrate Passover
with Hillel or any Jewish organization for about two years. And this year I
Marina Purmel
got GREAT pleasure having dived into the atmosphere of common
Moscow State University gladness.
I had never been to a U.S. embassy before this trip and I certainly never
met anyone from the Russian government so these were both first-time
experiences for me. I really appreciated it because it was helpful to put
things in a greater context in terms of the narrative that different states have
about the same relationships. It really helped me understand where I was
and what the issues that are being dealt with by the U.S. and Russian
government, in particular.
Shira Beery
Stanford University ‘09
International Relations
I can’t describe how important it was that we spent time with Muscovites
on this trip. Without them, I really don’t think we could have processed the
information from all the meetings, tours, and simply walking down the
streets of Moscow. They put everything in context and allowed us to reflect
on what we learned by asking more questions of them, comparing their
experiences of what we did with our own, comparing our attitudes, etc.
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I loved when they got excited about things we were doing because it made me realize how special it was
that, for instance, we were able to go to the Foreign Ministry or to Echo Moskvy.
It was also clear from the first days that the Moscow Jews had a very different perception about what it
meant to be a Jew than the Americans. This was very interesting and a theme that ran through our
conversations throughout the trip. Another particularly important moment was being able to visit my
Muscovite roommate’s apartment and eating dinner with her mother. I would never have the opportunity
to do this otherwise. Now I have friends in Moscow that I can visit and who can visit me. It’s an
awesome feeling to know that.
We had two very important group talks (at least, they were important to
me): the one in Hillel when we discussed our ancestry, and the one on
Shabbat when we discussed what it means for us to be Jewish, etc. They
were very thought-provoking and inspiring at the same time.
Like other people in the group, I really enjoyed watching the attempts of
the Americans to learn some Russian and discussing some differences in
our everyday lives.
Galina Petrenko
Moscow
Being a devoted Muscovite who loves the city, I was also really happy to
discuss the history and culture of Moscow with the Americans, to answer
their questions, to tell some stories that I know - I just wanted to share the
passion that I have for our city and to make sure that they would want to
come here again.
This programme has had a really big impact on me - in fact, I'm still reflecting on it. I have more clearly
understood the huge (and sometimes bitter) differences between being a Jew in Moscow and in the US;
I'm not complaining, of course, but I now see even more clearly that we still have to go a long way to
reach the level of the U.S. Jewish communities, if it's ever possible. I am person who is predisposed to
frequent self-reflection on the whole but during that week (and later) I approached again some of my old
inner questions regarding my Jewish identity, etc. - and I found some answers I had been looking for a
long time (and many new questions too, of course). This programme really helped to strengthen my own
Jewish identity and this feeling of connectedness, of belonging to the community that is related to it. I
find it really fascinating that even though, at first sight, we are people from different countries and even
continents, of different background, speaking different languages as mother-tongues, when we get
together, we don't feel alienated but, on the contrary, very related to each other because we share that
huge cultural and historical heritage; and we're part of it too, whether we want it or not. (We want, of
course, because we wanted to take part in this programme from the very start. The programme also gave
me a much broader view of what's going in the Jewish community in Moscow - I didn't know many
things or organizations even though I live in this city. And of course, due to the programme I've met
wonderful people and made new friends - this is true about both the American students, with some of
whom I'm in touch, and the Russian ones. For example, several of us have started going to Hillel much
more often, meeting each other at Shabbats, etc. This is wonderful!
As for the actual contents of the programme - it was wonderful, very thoroughly-built; Jewish life
definitely covered from all possible aspects.
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Julia Greenberg
Stanford University ‘09
Economics
Interacting with the Moscow students was one of the most unique and
meaningful aspects of the trip. It’s rare that I can travel to a foreign country
and have a group of locals showing me around and sharing what their life
there is like. The Russian students were incredibly smart. During our free
time they took me to a couple of museums and were able to answer my
questions and tell me all about Russian history and every painting in the
Tretyakovskaya Gallery. It was nice to have them there to verify for us just
how unique this experience was even for a local and how it translated to
their everyday lives. On the bus, at meal times, and with my roommate I
could always ask questions and get a more complete picture of how
different and similar the student’s lives were socially, religiously, and
culturally. I enjoyed visiting the social services organizations. I liked
visiting the Jewish Day School and seeing what the atmosphere is like for
students who go there and what their admission process is like.
I also enjoyed the visit to the Jewish Senior Citizen center in the context of our visits to senior citizens. I
was surprised to see that such social services existed in Russia and it was interesting to observe to what
extent they’ve developed. I also liked learning about the Jewish revival at the reform synagogue, seeing
how little information was available about the holocaust at the museum there, and visiting the holocaust
monument nearby. I liked the discussion that occurred while we were at the orthodox synagogue on
Saturday morning about what we liked most and least about Judaism and comparing and contrasting the
answers of students from the U.S. with those from Russia.
The trip has increased my sense of connection to both Russian and American Jews. It makes me
interested in learning more about these topics. I’ve also been sharing a lot about my experiences with
others. It will make me more likely to support the causes of the Jewish community. I was already
somewhat involved in the Jewish community but I want to continue because the trip reminded how nice
these interactions can be and how many commonalities I have with members of this community. It also
helped me understand my background better and reconcile my own Ukrainian American Jewish identity
and better understand the decision my parents faced of bringing my brother and me to the U.S.
I was deeply impressed by the communication with my roommate and with
other peers. It was really interesting to learn about politics, life and
students in the U.S. Also, I had lots of conversations about the Jewish
aspects of our lives. I think this kind of communication is the best way to
improve relations between our two countries.
For me, the visit to the orphanage was one of the most important parts of
the program. I wish we could have spent more time there with the children.
Masha Filimonova
Moscow Engineering
and Physics Institute
During this week we visited lots of places where we could discuss, in my
opinion, all the problems of modern Russian Jewry. But at the same time, I
can’t say participants started out knowing all of the aspects of antiSemitism in Russia. I think the turning point was meeting Anton Babich’s
granny, who told us about anti-Semitism at the beginning and during the
middle of the 20th century. Also really impressive was visiting old people
at Chesed Chama.
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I’ve taken part in some international projects before, but usually spent
together about one or two days and it wasn't enough for us: we had no time
to get closer to each other, to argue, to discuss serious subjects, to go out,
to do something together - we never became a team. This time we tried to
do it and I think we had a success.
Lidya Khessed
Moscow State University
I am happy that I got a chance to know some of them better and I
understood once again that we have a lot of things in common, we have
same interests and problems. It's a wonderful feeling when you stop paying
attention to the geography, to the nationality, to the language because you
are interested in the person itself.
The life of the community looks very attractive and seems to be full of different events. Leaders of
the Jewish community have strong charisma and they speak well. It was my first time in a Jewish school
and in a Jewish orphanage. I’m proud that I took part in the charity project for old people (I mean home
visits).
It was a new stage in my self-education, it made me closer to the life of the community, it helped me to
become more open to people, and it showed me the different aspects of Jewish (and not only Jewish)
life. I'd like to continue following this way somehow.
The vision of American traditions, culture and simply way of life has
absolutely changed in the last 10-15 years for Russian citizens. In Russia,
people are also looking for American movies, read American literature, and
often use American words in our common life. But, of course, nothing can
replace the opportunity of personal contact with American guys, especially
from the same generation as we are! I can't say, that this trip absolutely
changed my vision of Americans, as they are, but, and this is a fact, it gave
me something more, it changed something in way I think!
Ilya Tsarfin
Moscow State University
Higher School of
Economics
If we speak about Judaism, I think these meetings didn't change a lot. But
of Jewish practices - of course yes. I think, without this program, I would
have never had an opportunity to know about some practices, and, I can
also say to you, I have started visiting Moscow Jewish organizations,
especially Hillel much more often, then before this program!
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I thought it was really interesting to discuss stereotypes we all have
about Russia so that we can understand what our expectations are going
into the trip and see how they change after the trip. I think it was useful
to recognize our stereotypes out loud as well so we can be better about
trying to overcome our biases and assumptions when we met the
Russian students.
Mariya Kupershmidt
Stanford Law School ‘10
I know my own attitude toward Russian students changed instantly
upon interacting with them since I had so many stereotypes of my own
from my Russian family background. I think the students were very
intelligent and genuinely interested in learning about other cultures and
sharing their own as much as possible.
They knew a lot about Russian culture and history and I think a lot of times, Americans don’t know even
close to that much themselves so it’s not as common to exchange this information.
I think I gained a lot of insight into Judaism in Moscow. I learned a lot about how the ultra-orthodox
group dominates the religious aspects of Judaism, while the reform and conservative groups are less
well-known and have much smaller memberships. I think the most meaningful portion for me was when
we had Shabbat at Moscow Hillel because it felt like even when we may not have had that much in
common with the Russian students initially, we came together through our religion
The highlights included going out at night with the Russian students and walking with them during our
free time to various cafes. I liked seeing how they actually live on a daily basis because this is the best
way to understand a different culture, from my perspective. The dinners at their homes were really great
too, again to understand how they live, how they interact with family, how Judaism is involved in their
personal life. I think the metro scavenger hunt was a great way to see the beautiful metro stations and to
further get to know the Moscow students.
I think it shows how diverse and incredibly powerful the Jewish community is and how our Judaism
connects us, even when we live at opposite sides of the world. I definitely think that I will be more
involved in my home and international Jewish community, especially since I am a Russian Jew, so my
own community is intimately tied with the community we saw in Moscow.
The most exciting part of this program was our meeting with Jewish
students from America and famous people who are working in the
Jewish community.
The most interesting thing is that this project made me feel like a tourist
in my native city! I found out another side of Moscow, memorial places
dedicated to our nation.
Svetlana Lerman
All-Russian Distance
Institute of Finance and
Economics
I can say absolutely that I learned a lot of new information about
Judaism including Jewish schools synagogues, people who are
involved in our community and organizations.
I was also surprised to know about the Jewish feminism movement, and about the work they do. I liked
the meeting with Alexander Smukler and was really drawn into his story about NCSJ and his biography.
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We tried to show our Moscow night life to our foreign friends: clubs, night Kremlin and so on...I guess
that these moments they will never forget. Sum up we spent a wonderful week.
I really enjoyed discussing our expectations for the trip. Specifically, I
found it interesting to discuss our collective vision of Russian culture,
society, and the people, and to then be able to measure those notions
against the reality on the ground during our time in Moscow.
Matthew Levy
Stanford Law School ‘10
Living together with a Russian roommate was one of the most
enjoyable and enlightening aspects of the trip. I learned more about
Russian Jewry, attitudes toward the United States, culture, and politics
from late night discussions with my roommate than I did from any
other source. I truly felt that I formed a lasting bond with my
roommate, one that I would not have been able to form if we interacted
only in more formal settings.
The thing I most enjoyed about interacting with the Moscow students was learning about all the things
we have in common, from our Jewish backgrounds to more mundane things, such as interest in sports or
pop culture. It really helped me to realize just how small a world we live in, despite our geographic and
cultural divides.
I really enjoyed reading between the lines of the presentations we heard at both the U.S. Embassy and
the Russian Foreign Ministry. I have not met with people in similar positions before, so I found it
interesting to listen to how they framed their political views.
I really enjoyed the two home visits. If I had gone to Moscow as a tourist, I would have never seen how
our contemporaries lived, our have had the opportunity to sit down with the woman I met to hear her life
story. Being able to have a home cooked meal at the home of a new friend and bring some joy to a
woman who has gone through so much in her life was immensely rewarding.
I definitely made a strong connection with my roommate as well as several other of the Russian
students. I have already corresponded with them several times since returning home – mostly via face
book. We have shared pictures and discussed memories from the trip. Closer to home, I felt that the
Stanford students formed a close bond, and I hope that we will be able to continue to see each other on
campus.
I certainly aspire to stay/become more involved in the Jewish community. I would like to attend more
events and talks at Stanford as well as look into taking courses on the subject matter of Jews in postSoviet Russia. The trip affords you the chance to go to a place that would be fascinating on its own, but
with the added benefit of being able to see it in a completely unique way.
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Going to orphanage was very important for me and made me think
about lots of things, about how I can help those children not to feel
lonely. Really I have no idea what else could be incorporated, because
as I know we’ve covered all the aspects of Jewish life in Moscow.
Lilly Gaydukova
Finance Academy,
Government of the
Russian Federation
This program helped strengthen my Jewish identity; I’ve strengthened
my position as to who I am and what I am doing as a Jew. I’ve also
discovered lots of opportunities that the Jewish community in Moscow
offers. What is more important, I started feeling even more that all the
Jews all over the world are always ready to help each other, that we’re
responsible for each other and living in different countries, thousands
of miles away from each other, we still share the same ideas and try to
achieve the same goals.
What’s amazing about all of us is that even while speaking about things that are not connected with
Judaism and Israel, we still always support those politicians and businessmen who are either Jewish
themselves or help Israel somehow. And that’s the point that unites us all.
Moreover, I found new friends in the program both from Russia and the USA; I became even more
open-minded and improved my English skills.
The program made me think more independently and actively. I starting understanding that I also have
to give something to the community, not only consuming its “products”, so I brought together the
representative of Sochnut, who organizes birthright trips, and the head of the orphanage, so that the
children could also go on their birthright trip and be more involved into Jewish life.
All in all, this program was unique and very impressing, so that I will never forget the experience I
gained. I wouldn’t change anything!
The most exciting thing for me was a chance to communicate with
Jewish young people from the other part of the planet, to understand how
many differences we have but on the other hand to feel that we are rather
similar.
I had a great time with my roommate. I really enjoyed communicating
with him and all guys from our group.
Discussions were rather interesting and made me think about things, I've
never thought about before.
Anton Babich
Moscow Engineering and
Physics Institute
It was both joy and very impressive educational program. And it was a
great opportunity to understand something new about other people.
It was the best time I've ever had.
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My favorite part about interacting with my Moscow roommate was
finding common ground even with a language barrier, such as American
music. I also enjoyed speaking with her about differences in RussianU.S. politics, elections, and issues such as the separation of church and
state. I realized that Russian and U.S. youth are more similar than I
would have imagined.
Amanda Mener
Stanford University ‘12
History, Pre-Medicine
Because Russian Jews had experienced so much anti-Semitism, it made
me realize how important Judaism was for them. Sometimes I feel that as
an American, I tend to take my Judaism and ability to practice or not
practice for granted.
The most meaningful highlights for me included the walking tour of
Moscow, visiting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, U.S. Embassy, and in
general, hanging out with the Moscow students of my same age.
For me personally, I enjoyed the sightseeing aspects given my lack of travel experience, but I definitely
enjoyed learning about the politics and foreign policy. I also enjoyed hanging out with the Moscow
students because they offered a completely new perspective on different issues. For example, I
remember talking to one student about how he would never consider moving out of Moscow since his
parents and grandparents were all from Moscow. Coming from the U.S., where moving different places
seems so commonplace, this was interesting for me to hear.
Since coming back, I have started to go to more Hillel events and I think that I will definitely become
more involved in the Hillel at Stanford considering that from going on the trip, I actually know people
now and feel a bit more comfortable going. As for national or international Jewish organizations, I
haven't really looked into becoming more involved, but I think that in the future, it's a definite possibility
especially if I go into medicine and would be interested in humanitarian work.
The information in Lesley's presentation was very useful and pertinent in
preparing me for the trip, and I didn't have any burning questions after her
presentation.
Helen Helfand
Stanford University ‘11
History, Biology
I definitely gained new insights into the similarities and differences
between Russian and U.S. students. I think I most enjoyed the Russian
student enthusiasm and pride in their culture and their city. There was
definitely a degree of nationalism evident there that I'm not sure would
have been as/at all evident if the exchange was run the opposite direction.
The visits with Russian Jewish leaders were interesting overall. I most appreciated the last one (at the
synagogue/Holocaust museum) because it seemed like that Rabbi was representative of a newer and
more active movement in Russian Judaism than the other leaders, and it was interesting to see his
developing movement.
I haven't ever met with anyone of comparable standing to the officials we met in Moscow. I think the
Russian and U.S. diplomats were particularly interesting and useful. The Russian presentation was
expertly tailored to the audience: not too advanced but not too trivial, controversial but not accusatory or
rude, and very clear overall. I thought it was good (for the Americans) to have the U.S. meeting later on
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in the trip, because we got to experience a lot of Russia for ourselves before we got a more technical
view of the interaction between our government and the Russian government.
I would recommend the program to a friend, but definitely not a friend who was going to want some sort
of relaxing vacation over spring break. I think it would be important to stress to them that you will be
very busy for the whole trip, and that if you go into it having internalized that fact and ready to make the
most out of it, then it will be a lot more rewarding. As long as they realized that it will require as much if
not more intellectual power and dedication as school, then they should have an amazing time.
The experience of living with Russian students absolutely provided me
with new insights into Russian attitudes and behavior. I talked most with
two girls in particular about their views regarding dating, marriage, and
having a career. I think the best part about our interactions was that I had
no expectations, so I was always interested in and pleasantly surprised by
their answers to my questions. However, the best surprise for me was
realizing how similar we are despite the different places in which we've
grown up and even outside Judaism. In the end, we were just a group of
young people having fun together; it was wonderful to me to observe how
this could transcend so many cultural barriers.
Miriam Marks
Stanford University ‘11
Economics, Public
The visit did expand my knowledge of Judaism in Moscow. I knew
Policy, Middle Eastern absolutely nothing about Jewish practices in Russia, so I found almost
Languages
every visit with Jewish leaders and organizations very informative.
I have never met with government officials in comparable positions in such an intimate setting. I
particularly liked our meeting in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; it was incredibly interesting to me to
hear foreign policy matters from the viewpoint of a Russian government official.
My highlights were the last several dinners of the trip. Towards the end of the week, I had really become
friends with some of the Russian students, so meals became much more interesting as conversation
flowed very easily. I really loved talking with the Russians over Russian food and learning more about
them and their culture. In particular, the night when we went to the apartment of one of the Russian
students for dinner was very enjoyable. It was wonderful to see him in his home and with his family in
order to get a better idea of life in Moscow.
This trip was quite possibly the best trip that I have ever taken. I felt very much exposed to Judaism and
Russian culture. I saw a number of landmarks in Moscow as well as sites important to Judaism. Most
important for me, I met a wonderful group of other young Jews with whom I had an incredibly
enjoyable seven days.
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Spring break in Moscow: Stanford students take a tour
By Amanda Pazornik, Staff Writer
J., The Jewish News Weekly of Northern California, April 30, 2009
In March, the beaches of Miami and Cancun were packed with college students trading the harsh light of lecture
rooms for bright sunshine during spring break.
Then there were the eight students from Hillel at Stanford, who spent their time off soaking up more knowledge than
sun during a weeklong trip to Moscow from March 23 to 30.
“This was an opportunity to explore a vastly different Jewish community,” said Sam Shonkoff, Hillel’s Jewish student
life coordinator. “We wanted to break out of that Israel/U.S. duo and go back to the old country, yet unfamiliar
territory.”
It was the first time Stanford and the Washington, D.C.–based NCSJ: Advocates on Behalf of Jews in Russia, Ukraine,
the Baltic States and Eurasia coordinated the exchange program, which this year received support from the Koret
Foundation, the Taube Foundation for Jewish Life and the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation.
Paired with students from Hillel Russia, the cohort experienced a week full of activities. One day, they met with
representatives from the United States embassy; the next, they embarked on a nighttime tour of Moscow, including
Red Square and the surrounding areas.
It wasn’t exactly sightseeing for Ukrainian native Julia Greenberg, but more returning to a place she hadn’t seen since
she was 9.
“I was unsure how I would feel, whether I would feel connected to my Russian roots,” the 19-year-old senior said.
“But being there was great. The people were very warm and welcoming.”
A majority of their trip was spent discussing with Jewish community leaders and government officials the topics of
anti-Semitism, the organized Jewish community and media freedom in Russia. The group had anywhere from five to
seven meetings in one day, sophomore David Kessler noted.
Outside the educational setting, the students ate dinner at the Russian participants’ homes, cooked meals for the
elderly and visited a Jewish orphanage. They even squeezed in a bit of free time to wander the city.
For Kessler, Moscow, for the most part, was a place of extremes. “I was so overwhelmed by the size of the city,” he
recalled. “It seemed like it was by far the largest one I’d ever been to. I never saw traffic like I saw there. I never saw
such a disparity in wealth. There were expensive cars, but also people who lived in places that looked much worse
than anything I’d ever seen in America.”
A history major at Stanford, Kessler attributed his interest in Russia to growing up in an area of Los Angeles heavily
populated with Russian Jewish immigrants. Also, his grandmother’s brother, who was presumed dead during the
Holocaust, was adopted by a family in Moscow.
Visiting Moscow changed Kessler’s perception of Jewish life in Russia, which was largely shaped by conversations
he’d had with neighbors back in Los Angeles. “They made it seem like it was impossible to continue traditions during
the Soviet Union,” he said.
Greenberg was “shocked by the Jewish revival” in Moscow. She said before her family left Russia, Jews worried about
observing their religious practices.
“Today it was so much more open. People were connecting with their Jewish heritage.”
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Still, students noticed many of Moscow’s Jewish buildings, with the exception of the very old ones, lacked a Star of
David, Hebrew writing or any decorative expression of Judaism. Entering those buildings was like “going through
airport security,” Kessler said.
But that didn’t detract from his experience.
“I’ve never seen Judaism practiced outside of America or Israel,” he said. “I always thought those were the primary
places where Jewish life existed in the world. It was interesting to see Jews living in a different environment, feel
connected to them and care about their welfare.”
NCSJ Leadership Program for Hillel Students from Russia and USA
Hillel Russia Monthly Newsletter, March 2009
In the end of March students from the Stanford University Hillel toured the pillars of Jewish life in Moscow with local
Jewish students. The eight students selected were paired with Russian roommates and spent an intense week in
informational meetings with Jewish community leaders and government officials. Some had Russian educational
background or family roots.
The weeklong retreat included a meeting with an official from Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as
representatives from the Israeli and American embassies, said Lesley Weiss, NCSJ's director for community services
and cultural affairs. Students also met with the newly appointed president of the Russian Jewish Congress, Yuri
Kanner, and Berel Lazar, Russia’s chief Chabad rabbi. At their sessions students discussed anti-Semitism, the
organized Jewish community and media freedom in Russia.
The Washington-based NCSJ: Advocates on behalf of Jews in Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic States & Eurasia, runs the
exchange program, which this year received support from the Koret Foundation, the Taube Foundation for Jewish
Life and Culture, and the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco. This joint initiative of NCSJ and Hillel
Moscow is aimed not only to strengthen the participants’ Jewish identity and view Jewish life today in Russia, but also
on building relations between students and young specialists of two countries, because the future of the Jewish
communities in Russia and USA depends on them.
“I not only gained a lot of new friends from Russia and USA during this program, but visiting Jewish organizations
and our fruitful discussions made my Jewish position much more active,” commented participant Lilia Gaydukova. “I
have to not only get, but give to the Jewish community, and make a Jewish component prevailing in my spiritual life.”
Stanford Hillel students visit Moscow
JTA, March 31, 2009
MOSCOW -- Students from the Stanford University Hillel toured the pillars of Jewish life in Moscow with local
Jewish students.
The eight students selected were paired with Russian roommates and spent last week in informational meetings with
Jewish community leaders and government officials. Some had Russian educational background or family roots.
The Washington-based NCSJ: Advocates on behalf of Jews in Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic States & Eurasia, runs the
exchange program, which this year received support from the Koret Foundation, the Taube Foundation for Jewish
Life and Culture, and the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco.
The weeklong retreat included a meeting with an official from Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as
representatives from the Israeli and American embassies, said Lesley Weiss, NCSJ's director for community services
and cultural affairs.
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Students also met with the newly appointed president of the Russian Jewish Congress, Yuri Kanner, and Berel Lazar,
Russia’s chief Chabad rabbi.
NCSJ runs the yearly program as an opportunity for students to strengthen their Jewish identity and view Jewish life
today in Russia.
Students at their sessions discussed anti-Semitism, the organized Jewish community and media freedom in Russia.
Spring Breakers Trade Local Parties for Global Service
Hillel News, April 27, 2009
Over the past few years, there has been a surge in the popularity of "Alternative Spring Breaks", where college
students trade Caribbean cruises and lavish ski trips for the chance to travel to help communities in need. This year,
Hillel's alternative spring break numbers continued to soar, but even more exciting was the growth in the diversity of
global destinations.
"Local campus Hillels are planning trips to destinations rarely visited and some trips are even student-led," explained
Michelle Lackie, Director of Weinberg Tzedek and Associate Director of Immersion Experiences at Hillel
International. "Participants are serving in diverse global communities, some with a local Hillel and prominent Jewish
community and others that are virtually void of Jewish life. This type of cross-cultural experiential learning has been
extremely successful in engaging students in Jewish life and narrowing the gap between North American and
international Jewish communities".
More than 40 Hillels participated in global alternative spring breaks over the past two months, whether it was
organizing their own trips to Guatemala, Cuba or Berlin or traveling to volunteer alongside peers from Hillels in
Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Moscow. This is in addition to the 50 Hillels participating in domestic alternative
breaks organized by the Schusterman International Center in locations such as the Gulf Coast and Tampa, Florida.
"Nearly 250 students decided to come to Latin America and spend a week doing volunteer work, getting to know the
local Jewish culture and sharing experiences with Latin American peers," said Gabriel Trajtenberg, Hillel Latin
America Regional Director. "The students were committed to the Jewish value of tzedek (social justice) and tikkun
olam (repairing the world) through hands-on service, Jewish learning and reflection."
"When I left the favela (shanty town) on our last day of work, I looked back and realized how much was done in a few
days," reflected William Harris, a student at Bucknell University and participant on an alternative break to Rio. "Not
only the physical work, but the interactions with the community, the learning and understanding. It all makes sense
now. Our tzedakah was way beyond the actual work."
Further north, Northwestern University in Chicago spent an alternative spring break week in Cuba, providing relief
efforts, interacting with the local Jewish community and touring historical Jewish sites.
"While we were repairing and visiting the Jewish cemetery with other local Santa Clara Jews, we put our arms around
each other in a circle and starting singing a prayer that I recognized and could sing with them," described Sara
Kenigsberg, a junior at Northwestern University. "I felt a common identity and a common link. That is something I
will remember throughout my life."
Across the globe, Moscow Hillel hosted an eager group of spring breakers from Stanford University in California as
part of the Student Leadership Program (SLP), an initiative organized in 1999 by Hillel and the Eurasian advocacy
group NCSJ. Eight students from Moscow and eight students from Stanford engaged in discussions, sightseeing,
volunteering, meeting public and media figures, politicians, journalists, embassies and Jewish organizations.
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