Who We Are:

Network Organizations

COJECO was founded in 2001 with a mission to facilitate dialogue and cooperation between the Russian-speaking Jews and the American Jewish community.
In the seventeen years since our founding, we have established ourselves as a trusted leader within the Russian-speaking Jewish grassroots organizations in the New York City area, COJECO supports over thirty network organizations that provide widely-focused and culturally-appropriate programs and services for Russian-speaking Jews.
COJECO continues to represent its network organizations and advocates for their needs; supports them financially and helps them to find other financial resources for their initiatives, programs and projects; coordinates their activities; facilitates the development of the Russian-speaking Jewish community of New York; and helps Russian-speaking Jewish immigrants to integrate into American Jewish life.

If you would like to support any of our network organizations, please click DONATE button and indicate the name of the organization in the description field.

A

American Brotherhood for Russian Disabled (ABRUD)

ABRUD incorporated in 1996 and host to over 2,000 members, is a community organization whose mission it is to facilitate Russian-speaking people’s integration into American life, to ease their problems, and to educate its members on the opportunities available to them in the USA. ABRUD provides computer and ESL classes, and organizes group trips. ABRUD works in close collaboration with medical offices and Vocational Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID). ABRUD has its own newspaper, News of ABRUD, and publishes informative brochures.

www.abrud.org

Association of East European Jewry

Association of East European Jewry was created in 1994 with the goal of promoting and preserving Jewish culture and heritage, and fostering Jewish identity among East European Jews from the former Soviet Union. AEEJ hosts lectures and cultural events, organizes celebrations of Jewish holidays and commemorations of historical events. The seminars on family genealogy are especially popular.

B

Beth HaKnesseth Ohr HaMizrach (Caucasian Jewish Congregation)

Beth HaKnesseth Ohr HaMizrach is comprised of over 100 children and about 230 adults. Its focus is on integrating Mountain Jews into American society and the larger Jewish community, while at the same time preserving the heritage of Mountain Jews. Beth HaKnesseth has a cultural center that provides a wide range of social, cultural, educational, and psychological support services to individuals and families.

www.gorskyjews.com
C

Chabad of Rego Park

Chabad of Rego Park was incorporated in 1998. The synagogue is a home for people who come to pray every day. Its mission is to foster a sense of identity and pride among the Jewish Russian Community of Queens. Chabad of Rego Park offers a Hebrew School program and a Chabad Hebrew School, and publishes The Fifth Dimension magazine. Its total monthly circulation is 6,000.

www.chabadrego.org

Community Scientific Center of the Bukharian Jews “Roshnoi-Light”

Roshnoi-Light was incorporated in 1992. Their mission is to circulate scientific materials about the richness and uniqueness of the Bukharian Jewish heritage and its contribution to the world. “Roshnoi” has published over 60 books in fields ranging from history, sociology, ethnography, demography, culture, and the natural sciences; it has also organized many international scientific conferences and published the Encyclopedia for Bukharian Jews.

Congregation Sha’arei Shamayim (Jewish Reform Congregation)

Congregation Sha’arei Shamayim was incorporated in 1996. Its mission is to educate Russian-speaking Jews about Jewish religion, culture and traditions, and to provide a social climate in which they can establish friendships and find psychological comfort and emotional support.

Congress of the Bukharian Jews of USA and Canada

Congress of the Bukharian Jews was established in 1998 and serves as an umbrella group for 49 organizations. Its mission is to integrate the Bukharian Jewish community into American society and U.S. Jewish life while preserving Bukharian traditions, culture, and heritage. The organization is comprised of Jewish centers and synagogues, newspapers and magazines, theaters and yeshivas, various foundations, music and dance groups, grassroots organizations, a funeral home, and the Bukharian Jewish Heritage Museum.

Coordinating Council of Holocaust Survivors’ Organizations

Coordinating Council of Holocaust Survivors’ Organizations is comprised of three of the most numerous and influential Holocaust survivors groups: the New York Association of Holocaust Survivors, the Association of Holocaust Survivors from the former Soviet Union, and the Holocaust Survivors Charity. Their mission is to preserve memories of the Holocaust, to remind people of the Nazi atrocities committed on Soviet soil, and to help Holocaust survivors adapt to life in America.

Congregation Independent Chevra of Tyfers Anshei Corona

Congregation Independent Chevra of Tyfers Anshei Corona has been a spiritual and community center since 1999. Its mission is to serve as a religious, cultural and educational center for Jews in Queens. The synagogue itself is situated in a historical building.

E

Exhibit J

Exhibit J welcomes young Jewish adults on Staten Island and inspires them to explore and embrace their Judaism. This is achieved through a variety of individual and group activities and opportunities, including: classes and discussions, personal mentoring and learning sessions, social events and outings, experiential Shabbats & Jewish holidays, short trips within the USA, extended trips and programs in Israel, partner programs, internships, retreats, and opportunities, Mitzvah opportunities – Shabbat candles, tefillin, books, mezuzahs.

www.exhibitj.org
I

International Émigré Association of Arts & Sciences (IEAAS)

International Emigre Association of Arts & Sciences was established in 1993 as an association of high level specialists from the former USSR. There are four departments. The Health Care department provides medical consulting and health education for 800–1000 people per year. Publishing house “Mir Collection” annually publishes 8–12 books, including veteran remembrances. Teacher Training Center helps Russian-speaking teachers of New York schools. Engineering Innovation department develops three clean energy industrial technologies, including self-reliable “waste-to-energy” plant for Brooklyn.

J

Jewish Community Center of Starrett City

JCC of Starrett City was organized in 1995. Its mission is to serve as a support network for a 2,000+ member community of senior citizens and Russian-speaking immigrants. The JCC assists immigrants throughout the naturalization process, helps people in desperate situations, visits the sick in hospitals, and congratulates its members on their birthdays. The JCC also organizes Jewish holiday celebrations and commemoration events.

Jewish Folk Art Guild

Mission Statement of the Guild is to research preserve and develop the Traditional, Rare and Contemporary Folk Visual Arts. The Guild was formed in April 2000 in Brooklyn by a group of philanthropic and community-minded Jews, who were committed to popularize and exhibit the Jewish Visual Folk and Contemporary Art. Since its inception the Guild has performed hundreds exhibitions, presentations and workshops in New York, dedicated to Jewish Folk Creativity.

www.jewishartguild.org

Jewish Russian Learning Center

The mission of Jewish Russian Learning Center is to promote and strengthen Jewish awareness, pride and identity by providing educational, cultural and social activities and services to all Jewish individuals and families regardless of affiliation or background with special emphasis on the programs that target Russian-speaking Jews.

www.jewishrussiancenter.org
M

Metropolitan Russian-American Parents Association (MRAPA)

MRAPA was created in 1995. Its mission is to assist émigré children and parents in adjusting to American public education, and to advocate on behalf of Russian-speaking children with disabilities and to help their families acclimate to the special education system. MRAPA, working with the Maidstone Foundation, started the after-school program, “The Way to Life”, which features a strong Jewish educational component.

N

New York Association of Jews from Former Soviet Union (NYAJFSU)

The mission of NYAJFSU is to cultivate Jewish identity and to foster integration of low-income and elderly Russian-speaking Jews into the American Jewish Society.

O

Or Azion

The goal of Or Azion is to develop and enhance the Jewish identity among the young generation within the Russian speaking Jewish community of Brooklyn. Further, the objective is to fulfill our community’s needs and provide quality education in Jewish tradition for the young generation. Or Azion strives to provide wholesome activities for the growing number of children in various ages.

www.orazion.org
R

RAJE - USA

RAJE was founded in 1999. Its mission is to strengthen the Jewish community, and to help young Jews explore their Jewish identity and strengthen their commitment to the Jewish people. Programs include: Shabbatons and seminars that introduce unaffiliated Jews to the depth and intricacies of Judaism, as well as classes on Torah, Kabbalah, modern Jewish thought, and Hebrew language. About 1,000 young people attend these programs annually.

www.rajeusa.com

Research Institute for New Americans (RINA)

RINA was created in 1998. Its mission is to provide social, demographic, identification, and integration information connected with the Russian-speaking community through study and research. Recent projects include: Status, Identity, and Integration of Russian-Jewish Immigrants in NYC, and Russian Jews in NY as Voters in the November 2000 Election.

www.rinainstitute.org

Russian American Cultural Center (RACC)

RACC was founded in 1998 to facilitate cultural exchange by promoting Russian Jewish heritage. RACC programs include: literary events, community performances, and art exhibitions. Cultural events organized by RACC are attended by thousands of people.

www.russianamericanculture.com

Russian-American Foundation (RAF)

RAF was incorporated in 1997. Its mission is to serve as a bridge between Russian, American, and Jewish culture, and to promote the achievements of the Russian-speaking Jewish community. RAF organizes “The Annual Russian Heritage Festival” (endorsed by the City of New York and the Mayor) and other cultural events that involve prominent theatre and art professionals. RAF events are attended by hundreds of thousands of people a year.

www.russianamericanfoundation.org
S

Staten Island Community Center (SICC)

SICC was incorporated in 2005. Its mission is to provide community services to the Russian-speaking population of Staten Island in a friendly and culturally sensitive environment, with a strong emphasis on Jewish education. SICC organizes after-school programs and serves hot kosher meals. SICC has a Summer Camp that features a Jewish education program.

www.siccnyc.org

STEPS Theatre Production Company

STEPS Theatre was created in 1997. The mission of this theater is to encourage coexistence among people of different cultures. Its performances have been seen by thousands spectators from the USA, South America, and Eastern Europe.

www.stepstheatre.com
W

World of Women Immigrants (WOWI)

WOWI was established in 1999. Its mission is to help Bukharian Jewish émigré women integrate into American life and the larger Jewish community, and to overcome immigration and family problems. WOWI organizes seminars and meetings related to women’s issues, and works with the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services (JBFCS), Cancer Free Inc., and Elmhurst Hospital.

Stay in Touch

COJECO was formed in 2001 as an umbrella organization for grassroots community organizations of Russian-speaking Jewish immigrants in New York to make their voices heard and respected. Today we represent over 30 such network organizations, including young adult leadership groups, Holocaust Survivors, professional associations, arts & culture organizations, and social justice groups.

COJECO was formed in 2001 as an umbrella organization for grassroots community organizations of Russian-speaking Jewish immigrants in New York to make their voices heard and respected. Today we represent over 30 such network organizations, including young adult leadership groups, Holocaust Survivors, professional associations, arts & culture organizations, and social justice groups.

729 Seventh Ave,
9th Floor,
New York, NY 10019

Tel: 212-566-2120 E-mail: info@cojeco.org

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