AVI CHAI’s investment of philanthropic resources in this program has seen some noteworthy accomplishments. In 2007, with significant funding from AVI CHAI (close to $1 million since 2003, when the first grant was provided to the program), the status of what once was a “Center for Jewish Studies at Moscow State University” the most prestigious and influential university in the FSU, was officially recognized as a full-fledged “Department of Jewish Studies,” making it the first Department in Russian history. The official Department status enabled the program to receive additional classroom space, offices, a small library and student conference room and, importantly, added new full-time faculty positions and a growing number of university scholarship stipends for the most outstanding students. Enrollment in the program has grown from 60 students in the 2004/05 academic year to 101 in 2010/11 and, over this period, the academic staff has been joined by seven young faculty members, all alumni of the program.
-
Encouraging Jewish Study and Involvement for Unaffiliated Jews
- Booknik.ru - A Russian-language Site Focusing on Jewish Literature and Culture
- Booknik’s Social Networking Efforts
- Creating/Expanding Jewish Book Collections in the FSU
- Eshkol: Ongoing Programs focusing on Jewish Literature, Culture, and Jewish Families
- Eshkolot: A New Educational Initiative in Moscow
- Jewish and Israeli Book Fairs
- Publication of Books on Jewish Themes in the Russian Language: Fiction, Non-Fiction, and an Illustrated Jewish Book Series for Children and Families
- Strengthening and Enhancing Academic Jewish Studies in the FSU
- Programs for Jewish Day Schools
- Summer Camping
- Past Projects