Jerusalem Post - 06.25.2002

 

The Jerusalem Post

Fisher Prizes for Jewish Education in Former Soviet Union

By Jerusalem Post Staff

Eugenia Lvova of Petersburg, Russia and Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki of Dniepropetrovsk, Ukraine, were the recipients this week of The Max M. Fisher Prize for Jewish Education in the Diaspora for the year 2002. 

The award ceremony at the Israel Museum took place within the framework of the Plenary of the board of governors of the General Assembly of the Jewish Agency. 

The Max M. Fisher Prize was established in 1999 by the Board of the Jerusalem-based L.A. Pincus Fund for Jewish Education in the Diaspora, which has allocated more than $50 million to 500 projects in more than 40 countries. 

In 1991, Lvova's was among the founder of the Adain Lo Jewish Family Center, in Petersburg, which provides educational and cultural programs to unaffiliated Jews. Adain Lo plays a pivotal role in Jewish community life. Its programs, supported by the Pincus Fund, are attended by more than 2,000 participants. 

Levova, who is serving her third term as President of Adain Lo, also serves as chairman of the Jewish Association of Petersburg, a post that she has held since 1996. She is executive director of the Russian Jewish Congress, and consultant for numerous Jewish education projects. 

Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki settled in Dniepropetrovsk, Ukraine, in 1990, a year after his ordination as a rabbi. At the time, the Jewish population of Dniepropetrovsk numbered 50,000, and was served by one small synagogue and one adult education class in Hebrew language. Kaminezki helped found Bet Chana, a State recognized teacher training seminary for women. Bet Chana trains teachers for Jewish day schools throughout the FSU. 

Kaminezki was instrumental role in establishing: the Or Avner school, currently attended by 700 students; a kindergarten; a religious supplementary school for children; a Yeshiva for adults; a senior citizens home built from local resources and housing 92 residents; a Kollel; and classes for retirees. 

A new kindergarten program for 180 children will open shortly.