Jookender - COJECO

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.

COJECO Virtual Academy of Jewish Heritage

The Virtual Academy of Jewish Heritage offers a series of top-notch Jewish and Israel-related educational sessions in English and Russian. Learn more on how to attend these free virtual lectures and help support the academy!

RJKrug

Interested in a unique Jewish learning program co-created by Russian-speaking Jewish families and leading Jewish educators? RJKrug, an Innovative Jewish Learning Program For Children and Parents, will soon begin its cohort for 2023-2024.

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 Anniversary Gala

Join COJECO in celebrating its annual gala honoring the RSJ Community. Stay tuned for details about the 2024 annual gala!

Sasha Grebenyuk

Regional Director of Business Operations, Center Makor

sasha@centermakor.org

Sasha Grebenyuk is an RSJ engagement coordinator in Boston. She works with Center Makor and leads her own project, Jookender. While Grants don't come that easy, Sasha is focusing on creating fruitful collaborations with a number of educational and cultural institutions, whether they are Jewish, Russian-Jewish, or neither. Sasha hopes that her latest major project, an overnight Shabbaton and Jookender Family Camp will trigger the attention of major Philanthropy groups.

Organization

Center Makor

www.CenterMakor.org

Mission: The Center “Makor” acts as a community center and as an umbrella for many startup non-profit RSJ projects, such as Jookender. Expanding upon the success of the Russian Jewish Community School, which is geared primarily for young families, The Center will offer a plethora of new cultural opportunities and educational offerings affecting nearly every segment of the Russian-speaking community. Despite their weak religious affiliation, Russian Jewish immigrants are deeply committed to bringing back the heritage they were conditioned to ignore and forget while in their homeland. Providing this cultural and educational outlet as a resource for the community will allow members to reeducate themselves and will help build a stronger Jewish community based on knowledge, practice, and action.