Ella Petrenko

Our programs:

Roots Research Project

Project Roots enables Russian-speaking Jewish families conduct genealogical research and explore their family roots by accessing archives and materials in the US, Eastern Europe and former FSU with the assistance of a professional researcher.

BluePrint Fellowship

The program empowers RSJ change makers to create their own community-building initiatives, with the support of a network of peers, educational workshops, one-on-one mentorship, and mini-grants for project implementation.

B'nai Mitzvah RSJ Family Journey

A customized, year-long family program for Russian-speaking Jewish parents and their children leading up to Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

RSJ Symposium 2019

Convening of professionals building a strong, Jewishly connected RSJ Community across North America. Following two highly successful convenings, the COJECO RSJ Symposium 2019: The Power of Connection will gather participants to share learning and build networks. We will tap into our collective intelligence to address questions shaping the future of the RSJ community as part of the larger Jewish community.

RJKrug

Interested in a unique Jewish learning program co-created by Russian-speaking Jewish families and leading Jewish educators? RJKrug, Innovative Jewish Learning Program For Children and Parents opens its registration for 2019-2020 program year.

Germany Close Up

Bringing Russian-speaking Jewish young adults on 8-day educational trips to Germany to explore the past and present of Jewish life in Germany, and to experience modern Germany first hand.

COJECO New Jersey

We have launched a successful program for adults, children, teens, and families in Northern New Jersey, in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey.

Ukraine: Refugee Resources & Ways to Help

As the war in Ukraine rages on, our community is welcoming more refugees from Ukraine every day. COJECO has been working tirelessly to help people impacted by the War in Ukraine to resettle in New York and New Jersey. Read more about our efforts and Join!

COJECO 20th Anniversary Gala

Join COJECO in celebrating 20 yrs of strengthening the RSJ Community Honoring Val Mandel, Esq, COJECO Founding Board Member, Recognizing RSJ community leaders of Ukraine Emergency Response initiatives and Fashion collection presentation by designer and editorial stylist, COJECO BluePrint Fellow Leonid Gurevich

Ella Petrenko

Community Outreach Director, JDY Theatre

ella@orionservice.ca

Ella Petrenko was born in Odessa. At the age of 17, she married her husband and made Aliyah to Israel, where she lived for 17 years. In 2006, she moved to Canada with her family. Today, she owns and manages a multi-national company in Israel and Toronto, spending most of her time volunteering at Limmud FSU Canada and playing a key-management role in the rapidly-growing JDY Theatre. Ella lives with her husband , Sergey, her two children, Dan and Michal, as well as her bunny, Bambi - who are all very involved in Toronto's RSJ community.

Organization

JDY Theatre

www.jdytheatre.com

Mission: Founded in 2015, JDY Theatre is an organization dedicated to guiding young Jewish artists to personal and professional success. Throughout its existence, this youth-led organization has aimed to create unique, artistic, and cultural experiences for the entire community.

The organization provides pre-professional artists, ages 14 to 28, with the opportunity to produce and experience the magic and power of professional theatre. Under the direction of Artistic Director Dan Petrenko, JDY Theatre consists of a growing network of dedicated and talented young actors, singers, dancers, and stage crew members. Every year JDY Theatre presents a number of audition-based productions, ranging in genres from dramatic theatre to musical theatre. Known for the passion of its actors, its beautifully crafted direction, and helmed by industry professionals, our productions are always an audience hit, and our program has become a competitor in the Jewish theatre and youth theatre industries.

JDY Theatre is supported by the Genesis Philanthropy Group and the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto.