Way to Jewish Life - COJECO

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!

Vladimir Epshteyn

President of Metropolitan Russian American Parents Association (MRAPA)

rusamvlad@yahoo.com

Vladimir Epshteyn emigrated from the former Soviet Union to the United States in 1992 after he was released from KGB prison. Shortly thereafter, he became an active participant in all aspects of Russian-speaking community life. From 1992 until his retirement in 2008, he worked for The Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty. In 1994 he founded The Metropolitan Russian-American Parents Association—a nonprofit agency, where he is currently President. In 1994, Vladimir Epshteyn was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC). In 1998, Vladimir founded the Russian-American Voters Educational League—a nonprofit, nonpartisan for the political activation of Russian-speaking American citizens, where he is also President. In 2005 he was appointed to the board of directors of The New York Immigration Coalition and continues to be deeply involved in immigrant life movement. Vladimir Epshteyn holds a bachelor’s degree in electromechanical engineering from Leningrad Polytechnic University. He is married, has a son and three grandchildren.

Organization

Metropolitan Russian American Parents Association (MRAPA)

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Mission: Metropolitan Russian American Parents Association (MRAPA) is a 501(c)(3) organization that was established in 1993 to help Russian-speaking émigrés acclimate to their new lives in the United States. To assist them, MRAPA developed a variety of programs for parents and their children, including people with special needs. The families are offered tutoring, various enrichment, recreational and cultural programs, and are connected with the community services that they may be having difficulty to access.