RJC's Charity Projects

The Russian Jewish Congress currently supports around fifty charity projects in a number of areas, including aid to the most vulnerable members of society. The Congress’ largest project provides comprehensive assistance to lonely, ill and elderly citizens through the Hesed-Chamah charity centre. The Congress also sponsors the Talking Books programme for the blind and people with limited vision, the Sheket programme for the deaf and hearing impaired, and the Gan Chamah primary school for children with disabilities. In addition, the Congress finances the Medical Attendance interregional programme, which provides care for the elderly.

Support for science and education, including schools, colleges and universities, is another significant focus of the RJC’s charitable activity. In Moscow, the RJC supports the S. Dubnov High Humanities School, the Philology department of the State Classical Maimonid Academy, Ets Chaim school No. 1621 and school No. 1311, and the Judaica chair of the Institute of Asian and African Studies (IAAS) at Moscow State University, which is the only Judaica chair in Russia. In St. Petersburg, aid is provided to St. Petersburg Institute of Judaica and Adain Lo, the first Jewish day community school opened in the city.   

Traditionally the Congress supports student athletic clubs, including the Maccabi all-Russian movement and Moscow Maccabi Centre. Under the auspices of the RJC, the Russian national sports team participates with great success in Maccabiadas international sports competitions for Jewish sportsmen. In the XII European Maccabi Games held in July 2007 in Rome, the Russian Maccabi team was the all-around winner.

As part of the RJC’s Library project, the Congress carries out joint publishing activity in cooperation with Gesharim (Gishrey Tarbut) – Bridges of Culture, Parallels and other publishing houses. The Congress finances the operation of Aleph, the only Jewish radio station in Russia, the Aleph international monthly magazine and the Jewish News colour weekly newspaper oriented to the Russian business and political elite.