(Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Krivoi Rog, Donetsk, and Kyiv) Report of a ...

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112 a rabbi and then moves to Kyiv. In the meantime, the Kyiv Masorti center operates a number of programs led by individuals trained in Masorti teaching seminars and other programs. Vladimir Sapiro is the lead Hebrew teacher in a Masorti ulpan offering four different levels of instruction as well as a conversation group. In total, about 60 adults are enrolled in these classes, said Mr. Sapiro. Finding existing Hebrew-language textbooks unsuitable for Russian-speakers, Mr. Sapiro is currently writing his own series of texts. To date, he has completed four volumes and is working on volumes five and six. The series is accompanied by a compact disc so that the student can hear native Hebrew spoken well, said Mr. Sapiro. Each textbook, he continued, also includes information about Torah, Jewish history, Jewish literature, and related subjects. Vladimir Sapiro, left, is the lead Hebrew teacher in the Masorti kehilla in Kyiv and also the author of a textbook series for Hebrew-language students. Photo: the writer. In addition to offering Hebrew classes, the Masorti center operates a family Sunday school that is attended by about 50 families, celebrates all Jewish holidays, and organizes Shabbat observances about once monthly. Many participants, continued Mr. Sapiro, are individuals who are just discovering their Jewish heritage. More activities are held in warmer weather, Mr. Sapiro stated, because Masorti groups then are able to hold events outdoors, escaping the crowded confines of the Vaad. The atmosphere at all of these events usually is very good, very comfortable, said Mr. Sapiro. It is anticipated, said Mr. Sapiro, that the movement will move to larger premises when the rabbi arrives. Although the Vaad offices are new and clean, they are not optimally organized for Masorti activities and space is very limited. Masorti operates a summer camp, Ramah Yachad, in the Carpathian Mountains. Prior to sessions for youngsters and for family groups, Mr. Sapiro and staff from Midreshet Yerushalayim, the Russian-language division of the Schechter Institute in Jerusalem, will lead a seminar for teachers in Masorti Sunday schools and ulpans. Madrichim (leaders) for Ramah Yachad and for Masorti youth clubs are trained in a special Masorti leadership development program, Mr. Sapiro said. Most are selected from campers at Ramah Yachad.
The writer observed 12 to 15 university students and older high school pupils in a session of a Masorti leadership development course. In the photo at right, participants were learning icebreaker activities, such as describing an oddly-shaped piece of metal and suggesting possible uses for it. They also lined up according to shoe size and explored other ways of introducing people to each other and initiating conversations. Photo: the writer. 113 As noted previously, the Masorti movement intends to offer an optional Jewish studies section in an existing high-quality public school beginning in the 2012-2013 school year. The particular school has a substantial Jewish enrollment and is welllocated in central Kyiv. Welfare Activities 73. The writer did not visit the JDC hesed, which is operating at reduced capacity due to severe budgetary constraints and problems with the hesed building itself. According to Amir Ben-Tzvi, the new JDC director in Kyiv, the condition of the structure is so dreadful that it cannot be renovated. Additionally, said Mr. Ben-Tzvi, the location of the hesed – on a small hill and some distance from public transportation lines - suggests that renovation is ill-conceived anyway. 104 74. The Home for Assisted Living sponsored by Rabbi Yaakov Bleich currently accommodates 27 elderly Jewish men and women on the second and third floors of a six-story building intended to house 85 when fully occupied. Nine apartments on the second and third floors remain empty, said Manager Victor Popov, but three of them were scheduled to receive new residents after Pesach. The fourth and fifth floors would not be opened to additional senior residents until the financial condition of the enterprise improves substantially. The economic model for the structure is based on an incomeproducing trust generated by funds from the sale of residents’ previous private apartments 104 See pages 123-124 for a report of an interview with Mr. Ben-Tzvi.
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OBSERVATIONS ON JEWISH COMMUNITY LI
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3 begin to pay taxes that they had
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5 Dnipropetrovsk Founded in 1778 on
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7 The major entrance to the Menorah
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9 The preschool is operating “at
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11 pupils (503) and the number of y
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13 families whose relationship to C
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15 boys’ home (a former synagogue
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17 The overwhelming majority of lit
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19 homes, sometimes bringing them s
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21 program in Kharkiv come to Beit
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23 return for the teaching done by
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25 started as more funds become ava
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27 Holocaust, and rebirth of Jewish
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29 manufacturer inevitably will ent
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31 Two newcomers were expected to j
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33 individual needs, providing food
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35 managing. He has heard of very f
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37 committee for the clinic was est
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39 Jewish community. Another 120 in
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41 Natalia Rier, who directs the lo
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43 speakers are fluent in English a
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45 The consul noted that the ICC wi
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47 Ms. Katz confirmed that Hesed Me
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49 Dnipropetrovsk. The relationship
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51 It is very difficult to raise mo
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53 are the daughters of local rabbi
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55 requires that all private school
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57 Vkontakte, to recruit students a
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59 seniors purchase in order to rec
Page 61 and 62: 61 Rabbi Moskovitz noted, a busines
Page 63 and 64: 63 writer met with George Faingold,
Page 65 and 66: 65 males if they would willingly se
Page 67 and 68: 67 utilities, petrol, transportatio
Page 69 and 70: Jewish Education and Culture 69 44.
Page 71 and 72: 71 46. It is common in Ukraine and
Page 73 and 74: 73 purchase new clothing. Donetsk,
Page 75 and 76: 75 The fitness hall is a gift from
Page 77 and 78: 77 National and International Jewis
Page 79 and 80: 79 drain”, but she doesn’t yet
Page 81 and 82: Jewish Education and Culture 81 52.
Page 83 and 84: 83 Surrounding the prayer hall are
Page 85 and 86: 85 the program is very expensive to
Page 87 and 88: 87 preschools. Authorities could fo
Page 89 and 90: 89 in its generally poor neighborho
Page 91 and 92: 91 connected to the Internet; howev
Page 93 and 94: 93 60. Rabbi Yonatan and Mrs. Ina M
Page 95 and 96: 95 accounting procedures require th
Page 97 and 98: 97 Other individuals in Kyiv with w
Page 99 and 100: 99 64. An organization bearing the
Page 101 and 102: 101 group, but the young women them
Page 103 and 104: 103 worked in Jewish schools and ca
Page 105 and 106: 105 Lo Tishkach arranges all travel
Page 107 and 108: 107 Ukraine in this period. They cl
Page 109 and 110: 109 kashrut, and/or work in secular
Page 111: 111 Odesa, said Rabbi Dukhovny, pro
Page 115 and 116: 115 and funds simply do not exist,
Page 117 and 118: 117 rightwing antisemites, i.e., ne
Page 119 and 120: 119 songs, the Holocaust, Jewish he
Page 121 and 122: 121 countries are eligible for aliy
Page 123 and 124: 123 The JDC welfare caseload in the
Page 125 and 126: 125 In response to a question, both
Page 127 and 128: 127 Commentary 84. The Jewish popul
Page 129: 129 accommodates modernity and thei
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(Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Krivoi Rog, Donetsk, and Kyiv) Report of a ...

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