The COJECO BluePrint Fellowship
2014-2015
Bukharian Jews of New York
‘Bukharian Jews of New York’ is a photographic exploration of Bukharian Jewish youth in their formative years, when their identities and worldviews take shape. More than two decades after a major wave of immigration from Central Asia, there is now a generation of young Bukharian Jews born in America. Photographer George Itzhak creates evocative portraits […]
George Itzhak is a filmmaker, photographer, and storyteller originally from Tashkent, Uzbekistan. He works in both narrative and documentary, and has several projects in development and production that deal with issues of Russian immigration, Jewish life and culture, and the history and people of the Middle-East. His latest projects include Reading Tehran in Tel-Aviv, a documentary that premiered at the New York Sephardic Jewish Film Festival, and Broccoli, a Russian-language short film premiered in the summer of 2014. George began his career in television news with internships at NBC, a stint at the Sochi Olympics, and he currently works at NBC’s Nightly News.
Dueling Identities: An Exploration of the Russian-Jewish Disposition
A documentary exploring the Russian-Jewish identity through a series of interviews with subjects who immigrated to the US in the early 1980’s-mid 1990’s as kids or teenagers and are currently in their 20’s and 30’s. The event took place on June 18,2015 at University Settlement, 184 Eldridge Street NYC with close to a 100 people in attendance. […]
Irina Dizik was born in St. Petersburg, Russia and grew up in Israel. After graduating from high school in Israel, Irina moved to the US to attend Rutgers University where she received her degree in Psychology.
Happiness the Jewish Way
Happiness the Jewish Way is a published self-help book about happiness through the lens of Jewish wisdom. Happiness is the most important thing in our lives. But how do we actually hold on to this great happiness feeling at all times, despite the fact that the world in not perfect? Happiness skills are not taught in […]
Olga Gilburd lived in Russia and Ukraine before coming to the United States. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing and a Master’s degree in Public Service. She worked with teens and adults at The Jewish Agency for Israel and also with kids in a Jewish Sunday school. As a nurse, she interacted and helped predominately Russian-speaking immigrants. Listening to many life stories, she realized that although pursuit of happiness is the main reason for immigration, the emotional well-being skills and happiness are mostly overlooked in everyday challenges. Olga studied positive Psychology and created a blog about happiness. www.olgarythm.blogspot.com
Helga and the Life-sized Carl Sagan
Helga and Carl is a 150 sq. ft. wooden sculpture in the form of an upright larger-than-life entirely interactive wooden book. As the viewer opens, builds, writes, and engages with 30 interactive pieces (handmade books, photography collections, home furnishings, tools and customized clothing), he advances the plot as audience, narrator, and protagonist. Helga and Carl explores the relationship between […]
Alex Pergament is a Jersey City-based photographer and attorney. His photographs reflect on the relationship between community and individual identity. He primarily shoots with Polaroids, and incorporates them into large-scale hand-made books. Alex is an artist-in-residence at 660 Studios. He has edited and published The Escape Anthology for the Young Photographers Alliance, and received the Young Artists fellowship from the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities. He has exhibited solo and group shows in New York, D.C., Chicago, and New Jersey. Alex is also an intellectual property attorney, serving artists and small businesses in New Jersey and New York. He served as a law clerk on the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and was a Magna Cum Laude graduate of George Washington University Law School.
Her Journey
Her Journey is a 33 minute documentary film that features the stories of Russian speaking Jewish women who went through evacuation during World War II. The story line of the documentary has five segments; moment when war begins, the evacuation journey, life in evacuation, the return home, and lessons for future generations. Karina interviewed four (4) […]
Karina Weinstein was born in Odessa, Ukraine and moved to New York when she was 11 years old. Karina graduated from Tufts University in 2002 with a Bachelor degree in International Relations and from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government in 2008 with a Master in Public Policy. Karina is passionate about local and global community development having worked with community organizations in India, Chile, Bolivia and Mexico. Karina is determined to raise her Mexican American Russian Jewish son with a strong sense of identity and commitment to improving the lives of others.
IDF Project
From his experience in the Israel Defense Force (IDF) comes Ross’s COJECO BluePrint Fellowship community project designed to raise funds to support the IDF. The Project raised around $40,000 to support the IDF. With the money collected through fundraising events, goods and equipment will be acquired and delivered to Israel to give a tactical advantage to an individual […]
Ross Den was born in Ukraine in a Jewish family of medical professionals. In the mid 90’s his family immigrated to the United States. Ross was accepted to John Jay College of Criminal Justice and in 2000 started a part time job at NYPD working as a Police Cadet. Shortly after September 11, 2001 Ross left to Israel to join the Israel Defense Force (IDF). He served in the IDF for two years and participated in countless counter-terrorism missions in the West Bank and the border of Lebanon, being currently assigned to a battalion of reservists.
Jewish Meditation for Russian-speaking Jews
The idea was to expose Russian Speaking Jews to Jewish Meditative practices minus the religion as well as create community after the event through sushi and refreshments. This way the group exists to learn meditative / contemplative practices while supporting each other in their personal and social development. Two events took place: June 1, 2015 […]
Steven Perchikov was born in Belarus and immigrated to the United States at the age of 4. Steven is interested in poetry, spirituality and entrepreneurship. Steven currently works at a technology startup, as well as volunteers, brainstorms social businesses and spends a lot of time with close family and friends. For his COJECO BluePrint Fellowship community project, Steven created a workshop series on Jewish meditation for the Russian-speaking Jewish community.
Magic Streetcar
A Children’s Immersive Theater Project Based on the poetry of R. Mykha and other Jewish authors in Russian An immersive theatrical project for kids (ages 2-5 yo) in Russian. On this interactive journey kids are able to use all their senses and get to know their favorite characters from famous children’s poems. The show premiered with four […]
Alya Adelman was born in Kharkov, Ukraine and immigrated to US in 1994. Alya was fascinated with theater since her early childhood and by the age of 14 already produced her first play for the school graduation. After moving to the United States, she worked with a talented director, Simon Rivkin, who led a Russian acting studio in Boston. In New York, she continues advancing her career at HB and Terry Schreiber studios, as well as learning modern dance techniques with legendary Mary Anthony. She currently performs as part of Lost and Found Project.
Man is Not a Rock
Man is Not a Rock is a reenactment of the first interview given in the West by Joseph Brodsky, Jewish poet and Soviet dissident, after he was exiled from the Soviet Union in 1972 for “social parasitism.” The first English translation of the interview was recently published in The Baffler magazine, which gave me permission […]
Anya Khalamayzer is a writer with a homestead in New York and roots looping the world. After graduating CUNY Bernard Baruch College in 2011, she explored a variety of topics through a journalistic lens with editorial positions covering business and the arts. She is the author of a full-length screenplay, Smoke Over Paloma, set for production in 2015. She currently works with nonprofit organizations, and strives to give as much to the world through her craft as it gifts her.
Meaning in Melody
Meaning in Melody traced the preservation of Russian Jewish identity via music, whether secret or exposed, from the late 19th century through today. The project produced an album, Crypto Jewish Melodies: Semitic Sounds of Russian Extraction, consisting of 14 tracks. The tracks were split into 5 sets: “Father and Sons”, contrasting the liturgical music of […]
Lara Traum, the daughter of Russian immigrants who came to New York in 1979, grew up in Queens. She graduated from New York University with a BA in Music, Literature, and Judaic Studies and is currently studying for a Juris Doctorate at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. Before pursuing a career as a lawyer and mediator, Lara worked with the Zamir Choral Foundation as one of their choral conductors. Lara is a frequent soloist in venues such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center.
Musical Journey through the Jewish Diaspora
“Musical Journey through the Jewish Diaspora” is a CD recording of piano works by Jewish composers across 150 years and from around the world. The event was a CD presentation and Lecture-recital. The event took place on June 11, at 7:30 PM at The National Opera America, Marc A. Scorca Hall, 330 Seventh Avenue, NYC. The album […]
Alla Milchtein was born in Kurgan, Russia and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico. After winning a second prize at the International piano competition in Netherlands, Alla was granted a scholarship to continue her studies at the Rotterdam Conservatory where she completed her Bachelor and then Master’s degree in Piano solo and Chamber Music. After completing her studies, Alla was offered a position as a staff pianist at the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole in Florence, Italy where she worked for several years. In 2010 Alla moved to the United States where she received a full scholarship to pursue her Professional Studies Diploma in Collaborative piano at the Mannes College of Music (2012). In the US, Alla has served as a staff pianist at Beverly Hills Music Festival, Aspen Music Festival, Glimmerglass Festival and the International Vocal Arts Institute in Virginia. A collaborative and solo pianist in New York, she has appeared at Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, Lincoln Center, Steinway Hall. Currently she is a staff pianist at the Mannes College of Music. Alla is fluent in Russian, Spanish, English, Italian and Dutch.
New York Jewish Music Festival
The New York Jewish Music Festival (NYJMF) is an amazing opportunity for musicians, ages 4 and above, to share their talent and explore the Jewish identity and heritage in the performing arts. The NYJMF consisted of 2 parts: Audition in order to select the participants for the main event and the main event, which took […]
Eugene Plotkin was born in Belarus and immigrated to the United States with his family in 1995. He graduated from the NYU Stern School of Business with a degree in Finance and currently works as a Business Manager at one of the largest global advertising networks in the industry. Eugene is also a Vice President and Co-Founder of Forte International Music Competition and Festivals, Corp., a nonprofit organization dedicated to discovering and developing talented musicians through competitions, festivals, and other performing opportunities.
South Brooklyn Art and Science Culture Club
The South Brooklyn Art and Science Culture Club is a community initiative for Russian-speaking American Jews of South Brooklyn (Sheepshead Bay, Brighton and Manhattan Beach areas). The Culture Club provides a platform for South Brooklyn residents to meet and explore their Jewish identity in the context of both formal presentations and workshops as well as informal […]
Anna Rozenboym was born in Moscow and immigrated to United States with her family in 1994. She received her BA in Psychology from Pace University and Masters Degrees from Teachers College, Columbia University. Although Anna’s educational career began with a passion for clinical work and a desire to provide quality services to patients, she continued to explore her interest and fascination with the workings of the brain by engaging in research and pursuing her PhD in Neural and Behavioral Sciences at SUNY Downstate. A scientist and an educator, she is proud to serve Brooklyn Community as an Assistant Professor in the Department of the Biological Sciences at Kingsborough Community College.
Survivor: Aron’s Story
This unique project is part graphic novel and part historical education in one book. The first part of this book shares Aron’s (my grandfather) experience, living in Odessa, Ukraine (part of the former USSR) and his survival as a teenager under the Romanian/Nazi occupation during WWII. Aron’s story, visually depicted in the graphic novel form, […]
Alex Teplish was born in Odessa, Ukraine. Alex graduated from Stony Brook University and has since become a leading expert in Web/Mobile Technologies, Graphic design, and Digital Marketing. His work has enabled him to architect applications and campaigns for major corporations, international brands, as well as startups. He has also had a significant role in the ever-developing internet since its inception, including the founding of Brower Based Solutions (BBS), a web/mobile-focused, digital agency. Alex collaborated with a colleague and co-authored the Finance/Investment strategy book, “When Buy Means Sell”, with his chapter concentrating on the history and future of investing. The work was published by McGraw Hill, in September 2003. Most recently, Alex published a science-fiction graphic novel titled “In The Beginning: The Epic of the Anunnaki.”
The Art Sprinter
The Art Sprinter Emerging Jewish Artist Awards is a global art competition specifically targeting talented contemporary Jewish artists from all over the world. The project was created with the vision to recognize exceptional early and mid career artists and present their talent to a global audience through online promotion and a gallery exhibition. While submissions are […]
Katya Bychkova is a New York based marketing and event planning professional with over 10 years’ experience in journalism and PR. Prior to moving to New York in 2008, Katya studied Journalism at the Moscow State University, where she was admitted as a winner of the Journalism competition organized by the International Confederation of Journalists’ Unions. Her first years in the US, Katya worked as a reporter and then as a Managing Editor for the Russian-American newspaper Novoye Russkoye Slovo. In 2012 she started to work for the award-winning law firm Wilk Auslander LLP, where she is currently handling marketing responsibilities.
