July 5, 2024
Did you know that Russian-speaking Jews make up roughly 9% of Montreal’s Jewish community of 90,000? The RSJ Philanthropy division of Federation CJA plays a crucial role in preserving and developing the culture, traditions, and history of Russian-speaking Jews. By striving to develop social ties with the wider Jewish community, the program ensures that the unique and vibrant culture of Russian-speaking Jews is not only preserved but also celebrated.
In fact, even years after immigrating to Montreal, many Russian-speaking Jewish families remain unaffiliated. Often, they live in areas with few opportunities to fully engage in Jewish life. As a result, few have any ties to local synagogues. And their children don’t attend Jewish day school.
Since many parents have never had a Bar/Bat Mitzvah themselves, the idea of planning one for their own child is the furthest thing from their minds. Federation CJA’s RSJ Bnai Mitzvah program bridges that gap, connecting young Russian-speaking Jews between the ages of 11 and 13 and their families with Judaism and the Jewish community.
The program recently wrapped up its third year, with 10 participants being called to the Torah in a Bnai Mitzvah ceremony held at Federation CJA’s Gelber Conference Centre last month. Over 120 family, friends and community members attended the event, including a few grandparents who flew in from Israel to celebrate their grandchildren’s Bnai Mitzvah.
The ceremony was the culmination of a year-long journey, filled with joyous moments and meaningful experiences. Participants met regularly with Rabbi Alex Tansky as they prepared their D’var Torah. They, along with their families, volunteered at the MADA Community Centre and toured the Montreal Holocaust Museum, among other outings. A celebratory Shabbat dinner was also held for families at the Jewish Russian Community Centre on the Friday night preceding their Bar/Bat Mitzvot ceremony, adding to the excitement of the event.
Beyond being a seminal educational and spiritual experience in the lives of participants, the program is designed to keep youth engaged with community. They are introduced to other Federation CJA teen programs, such as BBYO, GOTEENISRAEL, and overnight summer camps, which they are encouraged to take part in.
The next RSJ Bnai Mitzvah session will begin this fall. For more information on the program, please contact Anna Digerman at [email protected]. 
Donate
Subscribe
