Today’s young people will be the first generation in history to lead free Jewish communities in the countries of the former Soviet Union.

Helping them to thrive, to develop a Jewish identity and to prepare for future leadership is a core mission of the FJC. Our programs focus on community life and Jewish identity.

Our youth clubs in partnership with Tzivos Hashem, offer Jewish children aged 7-16 a chance to swim, play sports and board games, do Jewish arts and crafts, go on field trips, experience Judaism in fun and exciting ways and get free medical check-ups in a safe and nurturing environment.

The FJC operates 40 summer and winter overnight camps for over 14,000 children yearly. Most of our campers are public school students with little or no prior knowledge of Judaism.

The FJC runs 150 Jewish student centers, run by the Arevim network of Jewish students, where more then 18,000 young people of college age meet twice a week for Shabbat services and meals, Torah studies, youth seminars, leadership workshops and creative programs to engage the youth in Jewish communal life.

In addition, the Federation is the local partner for “Birthright Israel,” which sends Jewish youths to Israel to learn about their heritage. To date, more than 4,000 Jewish youths from the former Soviet Union have visited Israel at no cost through this program, which was founded by the philanthropists Charles Bronfman and Michael Steinhardt.