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.

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

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.