While it's hard to know the exact size of the Jewish population in the FSU, reliable estimates report that there are some 40,000 to 50,000 people between the ages of 17 and 28.

In an increasingly assimilated environment, with less than 20 percent of the Jewish population affiliated with any Jewish framework whatsoever, with a low birth rate, a rapidly aging population, an intermarriage rate of 80 percent, and where poverty impedes access to programs and resources for many families, we are left with an entire Jewish community at risk of simply melting away. It is not an overstatement: the Jewish future of the next generation throughout the countries of the former Soviet Union literally hangs in the balance. And with them, the future of these communities.

Through our work on the ground throughout the FSU, we have clearly demonstrated that Israel—both as the historic homeland and modern sovereign state—is the critical anchor around which a genuine sense of Jewish community can develop.

The challenge now in these highly assimilated environments is to provide the building blocks for Jewish identity and connection among greater numbers of the next generation before the window of opportunity closes. This takes our simultaneous commitment on three fronts:

• Dramatically increasing participation in transformative Israel experiences;

• Reaching out to involve communities as a full partner in developing compelling content and strategies for local engagement;

• Training and inspiring educators.

As the largest provider of Israel-centered education throughout the FSU, we have redoubled efforts to reach out to this increasingly at-risk Jewish population through a dynamic network of formal and informal education activities.

SUMMER CAMPS

For the past decade, the cornerstone of the Jewish Agency’s youth-related activity in the FSU has been its network of more than 40 summer camps. Experiencing the pride and joy of being Jewish is the Summer Camp’s foundation. These camps provide children and youth ages 8-17 with a compelling and fun introduction to Jewish heritage through an up-close and personal experience, including exciting Israel-centered programs and interaction with young, creative counselors from the FSU and Israel. With increasing success and popularity each year, these intensive Summer Camps have become the cultural lifeline for thousands of young FSU Jews. For many youngsters from small peripheral communities, a Jewish Agency Summer Camp is their only organized Jewish educational activity for the entire year. Children who were once ambivalent about being Jewish often uncover deep wellsprings of pride in their heritage after one session at a Jewish Agency Summer Camp. After attending camp, more children enroll in Jewish youth clubs during the school year. Veteran campers also become prime candidates to participate in long-term aliyah-oriented programs in Israel.

YOUTH CLUBS

These provide a wide variety of social, cultural, recreational and educational activities to 35,000 Jewish teenagers to make Jewish learning and identity attractive—and an option.

BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL

Birthright Israel offers young Jewish adults their first educational trip to Israel. The program is an unprecedented collective partnership between the Israeli government, local Jewish communities, the Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Hayesod and a number of private Jewish philanthropists. Overall, nearly 70,000 young Jewish adults from 40 communities around the world have traveled to Israel for the first time with birthright israel. Many participants have returned to their communities and become active in Jewish causes, Jewish studies, Israel advocacy and synagogue activities.

MASA/ISRAEL JOURNEY

While short-term experiences remain a vital first step, year-long study/volunteer experiences in Israel are crucial in securing Jewish continuity. MASA, an unprecedented matching grant initiative that utilizes philanthropic dollars to leverage a dollar-for-dollar match from the people of Israel, has the capacity to ultimately bring 1 out of every 5 young Jews to Israel each year. Research has shown that a long term experience intensifies lifelong involvement with Jewish community.

MASA programs emphasize study, meaningful encounters, and volunteering for Israeli society, together with outdoor adventures and social interaction with young people from other countries and Israelis. Established by the Jewish Agency and the Government of Israel to engage the next generation and secure the future of the Jewish people, MASA features over 100 different programs.

BATEI AGNON: CENTERS FOR JEWISH EDUCATION AND ISRAELI CULTURE

Beit Agnon offers Jewish communities across the FSU a wide range of innovative Jewish and Israeli programs that instill a profound interest in Judaism, Israel and Jewish-Zionist values. Programs and activities focus on the special needs of Jewish youth, students and younger families. Beit Agnon offers a clubhouse for Jewish teenagers and young adults to meet, dance, sing and learn within the context of Jewish and Israel-centered activities.

HEFTZIBA: ENSURING THE SURVIVAL OF JEWISH EDUCATION

Responsibility for this formal Jewish education system spanning the FSU is shared with Israel's Ministry of Education. It encompasses 43 day schools, 106 supplementary Sunday schools, a teachers' college and development of educational materials. More

SHORASHIM: JEWISH HISTORY PROGRAM FOR TEENAGERS

Shorashim exposes high school students to the richness and diversity of Jewish life in Eastern Europe from the Middle Ages through the Holocaust and to the creation of the State of Israel. Each summer, the lessons from the school year come alive with site visits to places of historic interest.

OPEN UNIVERSITY COURSES

Currently, more than 3,000 students are enrolled in these academic courses about Israel and Judaism in cooperation with Israel’s Open University.

For further information please contact: frd@jafi.org