Leah Hasdan

Our programs:

Adult B'nai Mitzvah Journey

COJECO is excited to launch its Adult B’nai Mitzvah Journey, a program for Russian-speaking Jewish adults in New York! This unique experience encourages and enables the participants to join meaningful Jewish learning, celebrate their Bar/Bat Mitzvah, and bring the joy of Jewish living to their families.

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 a 9-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 2025 annual gala!

Leah Hasdan

Program Associate, Jewish United Fund, Russian Jewish Division

leahhasdan@juf.org

Leah Hasdan joined Russian Jewish Division's team in February 2019 as a Program Associate. Leah is responsible for building and maintaining outreach programs that are focused on Russian-speaking Jewish young professionals and volunteers in Chicago. Although Leah is a native to Chicago, her family immigrated to the U.S. from Minsk, Belarus in 1990 with the assistance from HIAS Chicago. In 2018 she finished her Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy in the Honors Program at DePaul University, while also studying Research in Psychology and Art History. Leah is published in several philosophy journals, and volunteered for KRUG - Community Circle, working with local Russian-speaking Jewish artists in curating painting exhibitions and theater program. When she’s not exploring The Rocky Mountains, Leah enjoys reading Spinoza and taking ballet classes.

Organization

Jewish United Fund Russian Jewish Division

www.juf.org/rjd

Mission: Russian Jewish Division (RJD) is a division of the JUF Campaign department. RJD is a community of young professionals and young families of the Former Soviet Union background. RJD provides a welcoming space to navigate the Jewish community, build friendships and develop leadership skills. RJD’s mission is to engage the community in the pluralistic aspects of Jewish life from across the spectrum of observance. While continuing to tailor to the specific needs of our young adult community, RJD serves as a resource and 'connection' to JUF and the Jewish community at large.