Jewell Club: Opportunities For Young Jews
It all started with the fact that in my third year of studying in HSE my groupmate told how she goes to the Jewish community and receives a scholarship for this. Then I was very surprised how this is possible. Usually, after all, we pay for education, and not vice versa. It turned out that there are various organizations for young Jews, thanks to which Jews travel to different countries and get acquainted with the culture of their people. For the first time, i came there on Shabbat with my groupmate. Shabbat is a Jewish day off from Friday to Saturday. It takes place every week in the synagogue on «Maryina Grove».
The organization I came to was called the Jewell Club. It is also situated in this synagogue on «Maryina Grove» and I began to go to classes there. This organization helps Jews in the first year of study, so they are paid a scholarship, and then Jews from 18 to 25 years of age have the opportunity to go to Europe. For example, last year, everyone who went to classes left for seven days and visited Italy, Poland and Croatia. They visited the main attractions of countries and places that have a great importance in the history of Jews.
If you are a Jew and you already want to get to Europe this way, as well as learn about the culture of the Jews, their holidays, then this is what you first need to confirm that you are Jewish by mother. To do this, you will need your passport and the passports of your grandmother, great-grandmother and mother. In September, you can come to the Jewell Club with documents and sign up for lectures.
The lectures there are different, but everything is somehow connected with the culture of the Jews. For example, in the first year I went to a course that was dedicated to the life of Jews. I myself don’t lead such a lifestyle outside of classes, but it was useful to me, since I learned many new recipes for dishes, was imbued with a completely unusual culture for me. In addition, there are courses of psychology and video-making, of the history and culture of Jews.
Also, besides this organization, there are others, and there are also trips, such as a trip to Israel for 10 days - Taglit. To go, you just need to submit documents, there isn’t even a mandatory attendance of classes.
So, I can honestly say that even if you are a non-religious person like me, it can still be interesting for you to go there, as these are new acquaintances, fun holidays, and trips to Europe! And if you are a Jew and didn’t know about these organisations, then all the more don’t miss your opportunities. It’s worth a try.
Text by
Olga Kudryavtseva