United Jewish Fund and Council program connects local Russian-Americans to their Jewish roots

As a teenager in Moscow in the 1990s, New Hope resident Lev Frayman knew he was Jewish but was not aware of Jewish history and tradition, nor had he ever attended synagogue.  Yearning to learn more about his roots, he found out about a United Jewish Fund and Council supported scholarship to attend one of the only full time Jewish high schools in the former Soviet Union at the time.  It was an experience that would impact him for a lifetime.

“The school in Moscow allowed me to meet other young Jews, learn Hebrew, Jewish history and tradition,” said Lev about the Migdal Or Jewish school in Moscow, a beneficiary program of the Jewish Agency for Israel which is funded by the UJFC.  “Because of the school, I went to synagogue for the first time in my life.  I had never seen such a huge crowd of Jews before, it was great.”

After graduating high school in 1998, Lev moved to Minnesota with his family for work and educational opportunities, and to get away from growing anti-semitism in the FSU.

“Skinheads would just show up at school, we got hate mail in our mailboxes and always walked in groups for safety,” said Lev.  “Unfortunately that was a way of life for us.  We moved here for a better life.”

In 2003, Lev met Ilana Volodarsky, UJFC’s Russian-American Projects Director.  The program, which just celebrated its five-year anniversary, had just been launched in order to connect the Jewish Russian-American community to the greater St. Paul Jewish community. 

“The program helps young Jews from the former Soviet Union say ‘Spasebo’, or thank you in Russian, to the community that helped settle them into a new American life,” said Ilana.  “Five years ago I asked Lev if he would help out with hosting our community events.  Since then he has very generously volunteered his time as Master of Ceremonies at about 40 events throughout the years, served on our committee and helped organize the events.  His wife Olga has also been a very active and beneficial volunteer.  She’s multitalented, performing as singer and actress, providing help wherever it’s needed.”

This past month, Lev once again hosted an event for on behalf of UJFC for the Russian-American community – a celebration of Israel’s 60th anniversary at the St. Paul Jewish Community Center, which had more than 300 people in attendance.  Popular Russian-American performers from Theater Deja-Vu, dancers from the Magic Ballroom studio and singer Dima Ger kept the crowd entertained throughout the evening.  Photographer Rivka Chayka-Lev donated art for a display exhibit.  Proceeds from the event will go towards Jewish summer camps in the FSU.

“I enjoy volunteering my time with this program because it allows me to stay involved in the community, stay connected to my Jewish heritage and meet great people,” said Lev.  “Having these events helps community members learn about Jewish holidays and traditions and stay connected to their roots.”

UJFC’s Russian-American Project welcomes all Russian young adults ages 18 to 45 in the St. Paul area.  For information or to support the program, contact Ilana Volodarsky at: ivolodarsky@ujfc.org or 651-695-3191 or donate online by logging on to www.jewishminnesota.org/ujfc and clicking on “Donate Now.”

UJFC’s Russian-American Program would like to give a special thanks to the St. Paul JCC for providing the event facility.