Midreshet Yerushalayim in Israel

There are close to one million Russian immigrants in Israel today. They make up 15% of the Jewish state's population. Under Communism, they were denied a full Jewish life. Now in Israel, most still have no connection to Jewish life and culture. In response, Midreshet Yerushalayim has established a nationwide network of 12 learning centers and 13 MILI young adult clubs throughout the country, where Russian immigrants eagerly engage in a Jewish Studies program based on intellectual challenge and religious diversity. Over 1000 participants attend Midreshet Yerushalayim activities on a weekly basis.

New immigrants, in 25 classrooms throughout Israel, are being offered the chance to study and experience Jewish tradition, history and culture in a non-coercive environment. For many immigrants, the center also provides a sense of place within Israeli society. Local learning center activities include weekly courses in Jewish history and tradition, educational field trips, family Shabbat retreats and holiday programs.

MILI is the rapidly growing network of clubs for young Russian immigrants aged 20-35, that employs the popular Russian game "Who, What, Where?" to introduce Jewish heritage to a population that has has grown up very far from Judaism. Clubs meet for weekly competitions and additional activities include national holiday competitions and educational field trips. The MILI site provides on line competitions.

The Leadership Training Program empowers community leadership within the Russian immigrant population. The program of study combines Jewish texts with community studies and training in informal Jewish education. Graduates of this program are working all over Israel to strengthen Jewish identity and education - with several going on to rabbinical training, creating a growing cadre of Russian-speaking Conservative/Masorti rabbis.

Russian-Language Weekly Torah Portion Sheets are distributed to thousands of people in local learning centers, Masorti congregations, MILI clubs in Israel, TALI schools and communities in the Ukraine and Russia, and Russian-speaking communities in Germany. They are also published on www.MILI.org.il .

"Northern Exposure" and "Southbound" Lecture Series bring quality Midreshet Yerushalayim lecturers and programming to development towns on Israel's periphery where large Russian-speaking populations thirsty for Jewish knowledge and community reside. A total of eighteen lectures in three towns over a six week period are held - reaching hundreds of Russian immigrants.