(Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Krivoi Rog, Donetsk, and Kyiv) Report of a ...
(Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Krivoi Rog, Donetsk, and Kyiv) Report of a ...
(Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Krivoi Rog, Donetsk, and Kyiv) Report of a ...
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43<br />
speakers are fluent in English <strong>and</strong> possess the language skills to participate in such<br />
courses, they are unlikely to be able to make a co-payment <strong>of</strong> that amount. 41<br />
A new program that is very appealing to many aliyah c<strong>and</strong>idates is a work-study trial in<br />
which individuals test actual employment opportunities in their own specialties. They<br />
are provided with room <strong>and</strong> board <strong>and</strong> can earn as much as $700 monthly while<br />
working <strong>and</strong> studying in such fields as computer technology, journalism, <strong>and</strong> translation.<br />
Their work experience enables them to make employment connections leading to job<br />
<strong>of</strong>fers.<br />
In response to a question about local activities, Ms. Zbarzhevsky said that JAFI<br />
operates youth clubs in <strong>Dnipropetrovsk</strong>, Zaporizhya, <strong>and</strong> <strong>Krivoi</strong> <strong>Rog</strong>. Although<br />
technically open to young people from the age <strong>of</strong> eight through young adulthood, the<br />
clubs effectively serve only university students. JAFI also sponsors occasional youth<br />
activities in Dniprodzerzhinsk <strong>and</strong> several other cities, although these are not in the<br />
format <strong>of</strong> structured clubs. In <strong>Dnipropetrovsk</strong>, JAFI also operates a Sunday school<br />
that attracts about 15 youngsters between the ages <strong>of</strong> eight <strong>and</strong> 12 every week. The<br />
curriculum includes Hebrew, other Jewish subjects, English, <strong>and</strong> some recreational<br />
activities; during the summer months, the Sunday school becomes a day camp<br />
enrolling a larger number <strong>of</strong> youngsters. None <strong>of</strong> the participants, said Ms.<br />
Zbarzhevsky, attends the Chabad Jewish day school in the city; the children may not be<br />
halachically Jewish, their parents fear the religious orientation <strong>of</strong> the school, <strong>and</strong> the<br />
school itself is not prestigious. Due to budgetary constraints, said Ms. Zbarzhevsky,<br />
JAFI is unable to <strong>of</strong>fer any activities for adults other than ulpan classes with Jewish<br />
identification components; however, secular Talmud study will be <strong>of</strong>fered in 2011-<br />
2012.<br />
The Jewish Agency will <strong>of</strong>fer three summer camp sessions in 2011, each based at a<br />
site on the Black Sea <strong>and</strong> each aimed at a specific age group (ages 12-14, ages 15-17,<br />
<strong>and</strong> students). Each camp session will accommodate 90 campers for a period <strong>of</strong> eight<br />
days. Most counselors are former campers who have completed training courses, said<br />
Ms. Zbarzhevsky. The director also is a local individual, but six or seven specialists<br />
from Israel will join the staff to lead particular programs.<br />
With support from the Pincus Fund <strong>and</strong> another Jewish Agency program, JAFI also<br />
sponsors Community Home, an Internet role-playing game that attracts individuals<br />
between the ages <strong>of</strong> 16 <strong>and</strong> 30. <strong>Dnipropetrovsk</strong> activists compete with five other teams<br />
in the region to build their own local Jewish community for the future. Ms. Zbarzhevsky<br />
commented that high on the agenda <strong>of</strong> all participants are Jewish pluralism <strong>and</strong> a highquality<br />
Jewish day school that is open to all youngsters <strong>of</strong> Jewish heritage regardless <strong>of</strong><br />
halachic background.<br />
Ms. Zbarzhevsky stated that local Jews clearly desire a Jewish communal infrastructure<br />
that <strong>of</strong>fers multiple approaches to Judaism <strong>and</strong> Jewish practice with mutual respect<br />
among all Jews <strong>and</strong> Jewish organizations. Rabbi Kaminezki underst<strong>and</strong>s this need for<br />
41 See page 64 for a report <strong>of</strong> a <strong>Kharkiv</strong> student unable to afford payment for a particular MASA course.