Advocacy Exchange - 03.18.2001

Texas-Russia Student Exchange Returns to Moscow for Advocacy Training

Read Report in Washington Jewish Week

From March 11-18, 2001, Jewish students from University of Texas at Austin participated in a seminar with Jewish students from Moscow. Lesley Weiss, NCSJ Director of Community Services and Cultural Affairs, coordinated the seminar. The focus of the one-week seminar was advocacy, providing an opportunity for the students to learn about Jews from other countries and examine issues particular to the Russian Jewish community. This program was modeled after the successful pilot program held in December 1999.

Sponsored by NCSJ, the Houston Jewish Federation, Hillel at the University of Texas at Austin and the Moscow Hillel Center, participants in the 2001 Advocacy Seminar learned about Jewish life in the former Soviet Union, the challenges facing Jews in an emerging democracy, anti-Semitism, media relations, inter-group relations, pluralism, and tolerance.

American and Russian students were paired as roommates, providing them with an opportunity to learn about each other and develop friendships. The major themes addressed were Jewish religious and organizational life, human rights, and democracy building.  Our meetings included:

Russian Jewish Community

Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, Chief Rabbi of Moscow, and Evgeny Satanovsky, Russian Jewish Congress (REK) discussed the political and fundraising work of the Russian Jewish Congress as well as current political problems.   

	Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt (right) and Evgeny Satanovsky (left) speak to students
Photo by Lesley Weiss

Michael Chlenov, President, Federation of Jewish Organizations and Communities of Russia-the Vaad provided an overview of Jewish life during Soviet times and the development of Jewish life in Russia since the disintegration of the USSR.

The students met also with Project Kesher and World ORT Union, visited the Etz-Chaim Day School, and the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia’s new community center.  The students also attended the Bolshoi Ballet, Moscow circus and toured the Kremlin armory.

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International Organizations

Joel Golovensky, Director of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) in Moscow described the important work of JDC in providing humanitarian assistance to Jews in Moscow.  The students also went in small groups to deliver food packages to elderly Jews provided by JDC.

Karol Unger, Jewish Agency for Israel, (JAFI) presented a history of JAFI in the former Soviet Union and described the current state of aliyah as well as JAFI’s programs in Russia.

Alexander Axelrod, Anti-Defamation League representative in Moscow spoke about the monitoring of anti-Semitic incidents and media in Russia.

Government

Nissan Amdor, First Secretary of the Embassy of Israel, spoke about the relationship between Israel and Russia during Soviet times and today.  He discussed the recent visit of President Moshe Katsav to Russia and the kashering of the Kremlin kitchen. He also talked about the visit of Iranian President Khatami to Russia and Israel’s concerns about Iranian-Russian relations.

Howard Solomon, Douglas Wake, Simon Shuket and Jonathan Menuti of the American Embassy described their work which includes human rights concerns, trade, investment, and cultural and academic exchanges. The American Embassy reports to the State Department on all human rights concerns. They spoke about their work in monitoring human rights and encouraging the rule of law.

	Meeting with Foreign Ministry officials Oleg Malginov (left) and Vasily Yunak (right); Lesley Weiss (to their left)
Photo by Adam Gorvine

Oleg Malginov and Vasily Yunak of the Russian Foreign Ministry spoke about bilateral relations with the United States, inter-ethnic relations in Russia, terrorism, Chechnya and the U.S. State Department’s 2000 Human Rights Report citing of human rights violations in Russia.  They said that the problems are not in the legislation itself but in its practical application on the regional level.  They also said that anti-Semitism is not the result of official policy, but does exist in the general population.  A discussion followed about how the United States addresses hate crimes and how to hold public officials accountable to their citizens.

Media

Mikhail Berger, Editor-in-Chief of the now closed Segodnya Newspaper, discussed the problems of maintaining an independent media in Russia and his efforts to uphold journalistic standards.

Mikhail Berger speaks to students
	Photo by Lesley Weiss

Issues

Throughout the week, the students discussed the accountability of public officials and the rights of citizens.  Morning and evening briefings focused on comparing the advocacy culture in the United States with developing democracy in Russia. Issues of anti-Semitism and individual human rights were raised in most meetings with officials, including a discussion with the Foreign Ministry about an anti-Semitic incident one of the students had experienced during the week. The incident involved an exchange between a vendor and a Moscow student during which the vendor called the student an anti-Semitic epithet and pushed him.

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The students engaged in serious discussions about Jewish identity, observance, and their feelings about the extent of anti-Semitism in both countries. The sessions focused on understanding the ways democratic institutions can be used to protect individual and group rights.

The group attended Friday night (Shabbat) services at the Moscow Hillel Center, led by Moscow Hillel students, and they attended Shabbat services at the Choral Synagogue. They also had the opportunity to visit the homes of some of the Moscow students for home hospitality with their families.

Summary

As the following student summaries show, the program was very well received by all of the participants. The program provided the American participants an opportunity to learn about Jewish life in Russia, the challenges faced by Jews in an emerging democracy and the relationship of the American Jewish community to Jewish communities around the world.

The Moscow participants learned about the organized Jewish community in American and Russia, Jewish life in a democracy, advocacy strategies, and issues of pluralism and tolerance. They were also provided with an opportunity to become part of the international Jewish community.

	Moscow Hillel students Mikhail Gorelashvili (left), Michael Goubenko (center), and Tatiana Glezer (right) at JDC
Photo by Julie Weitz

For those Jews who live in the FSU, there is a need for continued development of an internal advocacy structure. There is also a need to develop a support network for their efforts among American Jews. This program seeks to prepare students from both countries for leadership positions in the Jewish community on these issues, and can be adapted to work in other FSU countries and with other American university communities. It is our hope to continue the very successful Moscow program and expand this model to other communities.

The following are student summaries of their experience.

Growing up in Chicago, I have random memories of hearing about the Jewish Russian experience. There was operation "something" at my synagogue. There were new students who spoke broken English and dressed funny. I brought a food package to a Russian family in Skokie with my parents. I was matched up with a Russian girl for my Bat Mitzvah. But to actually be in Russia last week and connect my memories to a real life experience, to a place and people was incredible.

When the man from VAAD spoke to us one of the first days about the condition of Jewish life during Soviet times, it clicked for me how extreme the situation was. From a typical American perspective, it's very difficult to imagine any form of restriction on what we consider our natural rights in America, especially a constraint on the freedom of religion. Well, it certainly makes me appreciate something that's very easy to take for granted.

But learning about the Russian Jewish experience made me realize how real anti-Semitism is. It is not just a negative remark or a scribbled swastika.  It is a government's suppression and punishment of religious belief. It is violent. It is not something of the past, it is present. It is something to fear and fight against. I felt that in Russia.

This experience gave me a richer understanding of the importance of Israel as well. I never realized the extent to which Israel has served as a haven for Russian Jews.

On a more personal level, our interaction and connection to the Russian students gave me a clearer sense of my history as a Jew and the universality of Judaism. Like I said on the last night of the trip, I felt connected to the students in a way that surpassed cultural differences.

I want to thank you again for this opportunity.

Julie Weitz

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I wanted to tell you what I offered and received from the trip. I found the experience to be enriching and captivating.  I really feel like I walked away with an immense knowledge of how Russian Jews and American Jews are similar and different. The ways in which we define what it means to be Jewish in each of our respective societies. I have never felt so lucky to be Jewish. We take freedom to practice religion for granted and they are discovering the love in practicing Judaism. 

I found the students to be very similar to us except smarter. I was very impressed with the emphasis placed on leaning multiple languages and the arts.

The students were not at all materialistic. That was a breathe of fresh air. 

As far as combating stereotypes about Judaism and prejudices, they have a long road ahead of them. However, I do not know if Americans can solve their problems for them. Until they realize that acts of anti-Semitism are wrong there is nothing anyone can really do to help them. I feel that by sharing our views we helped them discover an awareness in their outlooks on anti-Semitism.

The trip overall was one of new friendships, education and the connecting of one Jewish people. 

Simcha Todd


The 2001 Texas-Russia Advocacy Seminar in Moscow provided me with a first hand glimpse of the modern day realities of Russian Jews. The trip cleared up a few long-held misconceptions I previously held about Russia and its citizens. More importantly, the mission was a unique opportunity to learn from our Russian Jewish peers and to listen to their life experiences of growing up in Russia.

Judaism is beginning to flourish once again in Russia, and Jews are showing much pride in their newfound identities. This was evident upon seeing young Jewish girls beautifully singing Hebrew Purim songs and performing Jewish folk dances at the Etz-Chaim Day School. We also visited the recently completed and spacious Chabad cultural center housing a myriad of activities and facilities for Jews to meet other Jews.

I was deeply moved when our group visited an elderly Jewish woman living by herself. She had many stories to share with us and was very appreciative of our visit. What a joy to see the smile on her face when we handed her a bag of food! After meeting with many vigilant Jewish organizations such as the JDC, Vaad, ADL, and JAFI I am reassured that the needs of Jews scattered across Russia are being met and that their concerns are being heard.

One of the most memorable moments of the week for me was when we gathered with the Russian students at Hillel for Shabbat services. As we sat around in a circle and the Sabbath candles glowed in the center of the room, we enthusiastically sang "L'Cha Dodi" together. It was during that peaceful moment that I truly felt a sense that we were one Jewish people. 

As young and old Russian Jews reclaim their heritage, I am reminded as an American Jew not to take the freedoms of religion for granted. While anti-Semitism still exists in Russia, fortunately it is not as commonplace as it once was. Having carefully listened to my Russian friends' viewpoints, I am strengthened in my own Jewish identity and will endeavor to continue to speak out for human rights, tolerance, and understanding among Jews and non-Jews.

Indeed, there is a Jewish Renaissance occurring in Russia that is promising, healthy, and vibrant. I am optimistic that the 21st century will hold a much brighter future for our Jewish family in Russia.

Marshal Levit

	luncheon at Federation of Jewish Communities
Photo by Lesley Weiss

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My experience of the program can be divided into two main aspects. As I said on the feedback I am absolutely sure that such programs contribute a lot to our understanding of Jewish common problems and the ways of handling them. We can be different as specialists, but we are the same as Jews. More of all, being the young leaders in the communities we shall take the responsibility for their development in future. Those officials we met in Moscow should understand that Jewish students are not ignorant to Jewish matters, they are active and ready to explain their point of view on many questions of Jewish life.

Another very important point is that the program in Moscow was the big step to building international relation between Hillels on the level of students, but not directors. I think there is a lack of such programs and it was a great achievement.

The second aspect I would like to mention refers to the personal communicating of young Jews from different cultures (even Jewish cultures are different as you could see in Moscow). I saw the impact the seminar had on the students of both Hillels. We can call it "Great discovery of another world." We should take into account the fact that it was only one week in Moscow, but we managed to get to know each other a lot for this time and that is amazing.

So, I'm absolutely sure the program was a success. We knew a lot. We learned a lot. We met a lot (of interesting people). And the main thing we DID IT TOGETHER!!!

I wish you and your family HAPPY PASSOVER!!!

HAG SAMEAH to all of my friends from UT and Texas Hillel!!!

Best wishes,

Igor Shlyafer
Moscow


It has been my second time on this program. The experience I had a year ago was very pleasant and enriching. That is why I was very happy to accept this year's invitation. However, comparing the two times I cannot help but recognize that the second time has been much more powerful. I am certain that it is a very good sign: it demonstrates that there has been a movement taking place, and, which is even more important, in the right direction.

This year's program has been extraordinarily interesting and fruitful. We witnessed Jewish life in Russia in all its diverse manifestations. Notwithstanding the intensity of the program we still had time to visit the Bolshoi theater; and the famous Moscow circus, which (at least as the comic part is concerned) in many ways resembled the contemporary Russian reality.

I was impressed by the American participants, with nearly each of whom I had the pleasure of revealing a strong and uncommon personality. They also made me look differently at certain things here in Russia, where I have spent my whole life, made me experience numerous surprises. Finally, the program made me think that there is probably a chance of building a strong Jewish community in Russia. Although, honestly, I still have my serious doubts. However, I now also have hope, much more hope than before, and that is very comforting. I also have more understanding (or may be that is just an illusion, but hopefully not) of America and Americans; and my feelings towards the country and the people are full of real warmth and good memories.

Yuri Vedeniapin
Moscow


My name is Mikheil Gorelashvili. I am a member of Moscow Hillel and I was coordinating the Texas-Moscow 2001 program from the Russian side. For me it was a great opportunity to take part in this program and to coordinate it with the American leaders. This program gave me a lot of different experiences such like: being a leader, practicing English, finding more about Jewish life etc. But I could have done this in the other programs too.

The most important thing and unique situation of this program is for me that it brings Jewish students from quite different communities and puts them together. The biggest goal of the program and I think it achieved it is that we all broke our stereotypes and were like one Jewish family.

This program shows us how being a Jew can make twenty strange people live like old friends, like one community. This program gave me hope that there is a possibility to create a world Jewish society in which Jews from all over the world together will exist and solve all its problems. I want to thank all people who organized this program.

Sincerely yours,

Misha

Seminar participants

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Some words about the seminar with Texas students in Moscow. Though I have no words, I have only emotions. The fact is I found friends. I had never thought that guys from the opposite site of the world could be so familiar and so close to us, to me. It was a week of wonderful experiences, I mean not only advocacy, Jewish life and different ways to fight anti-Semitism, but mainly relations between different cultures. I would like to thank everybody who made this seminar possible. These days were unforgettable and I hope students Moscow-Austin friendship will stay forever.

Masha Sheikina

PS These are not only words, I really feel it.  

Finding a 'precious bond' Moscow trip gives Va. youngster a greater appreciation for Judaism. By Adam Gorvine After 11 hours in the air, I dragged my luggage up the narrow, tight walkway of the jet toward the doorway ahead, a door into the mysterious and unknown: the terminal at the Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow. This was my first trip out of the United States, and I was immediately struck by the many contrasts to my home in Northern Virginia. The biggest difference was the officious, stern manner of the population. It seemed that everyone, even the beggars in the street, had a heavy, serious manner. The dark mood mirrored the day itself, which was bleak, foggy and snowy, the very image of Moscow every foreigner expects to find. As we swept from the airport in the private car hired to deliver us to the Marriott Tverskaya, immense buildings, statues and churches rose up on all sides and dissolved into the mist. The passing cars seemed pitifully dirty and old. Many were broken down by the roadside, with clouds of steam streaming out of their hoods. A heavy atmosphere hung over the city. Was this the remnant of communism, ended some 12 years before? In the days ahead, I was to learn that though the people are freer now than they were then, they are less well fed. And that anti-Semitism and ethnic hatred continue to flourish. The trip to Moscow was sponsored by NCSJ: Advocates on Behalf of Jews in Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic States & Eurasia (formerly the National Conference on Soviet Jewry). My mom, Lesley Weiss, is the director of community services and cultural affairs of NCSJ in Washington, D.C. The purpose of the trip was advocacy and education, bringing 10 Jewish students from the University of Texas at Austin Hillel together with 10 Jewish students from universities in Moscow who are involved with the Moscow Hillel Center. Each day was packed full of meetings, including visits to important Jewish leaders, the U.S. and Israeli embassies, the Russian Foreign Ministry, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, synagogues and community centers. We also toured the Kremlin and the Armory. Growing up in Fairfax as a freely practicing Jew, I have never had to worry about being recognized as a Jew. I soon learned that Jews in Russia are forced to lead a much different life, always keeping a watchful eye out for signs of trouble. I learned from the many speakers that in Russia, there is no tradition of tolerance of other ethnic/racial groups. There is no education regarding what is true about Jews and what is not. Even more disturbing, Russian Jews often find that the police are indifferent or worse when it comes to anti-Semitism. Corruption is thought to be widespread in the police force, and neither they nor the elected officials appear to have much accountability to the people. Minimal attention is paid to individual rights. Only negative attention from the media moves the authorities to take action. Despite the opening up of society, we learned that the media itself is increasingly controlled by the government. All but a few newspapers operate without a clear code of journalistic ethics, and we heard reports of journalists accepting bribes in return for positive articles. During my visits to synagogues in Moscow, I became fascinated by several things. I witnessed Jews learning for the first time what it is to be Jewish and how to make Judaism a lifestyle. At Friday night services at the Moscow Hillel many came together as Jews to light candles, sing prayers, laugh and just be Jews. Looking around at people singing in the circle, I realized what a precious bond this was. They spoke Russian, we spoke English, but Hebrew was the common language that brought us together. And as this notion dawned on me, I started singing along as well. This is what Judaism is about, I thought. As a result, I feel a renewed appreciation for Judaism, having realized how much I've taken for granted in my own Jewish life, together with a new sense of how important it is to defend the rights of all people to practice their own beliefs Adam Gorvine is a freshman at W.T. Woodson High School in Fairfax, Virginia. Top