The critical need for Jewish education in the countries of the Former Soviet Union cannot be overstated.

Millions of Jews grew up with no knowledge of their religion, culture or heritage while they were forcibly educated in the state doctrine of atheism. By 1989, there was not a single day school, university, locally educated teacher or Russian-language educational material for Jewish instruction anywhere in the vast territory of the Soviet Union. Many people did not even know they were Jews.

With the fall of Communism, the first and most pressing priority in reviving Jewish communities has been recreating Jewish educational institutions. A full 30 percent of the FJC budget – tens of millions of dollars – is devoted to this cause.

A strategic affiliation with the Ohr Avner Foundation, established by FJC President Lev Leviev in memory of his father Avner, has enabled the federation to aggressively pursue this primary mandate.

Today, the FJC oversees and operates 54 kindergartens, 72 elementary day schools, 12 high schools and five universities, located in 65 cities across the former Soviet Union, with an aggregate enrollment of more than 15,000 students.

And more are on the way.