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Jewish Renewal In Kiev

After the physical and spiritual devastation dealt to the Jewish community by the Nazis and then the Communists, the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit's initiative in Kiev is dedicated to renewing Jewish communal life in a city with a Jewish population of over 90,000.

In partnership with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Federation sponsors five Jewish Houses (the Ukrainian equivalent of a Jewish Community Center), each with its own special focus, from family education to arts and crafts to music. Each of these Jewish Houses has a carefully crafted program aimed at attracting as many Jews back into the community as possible. In the summer, specific support goes to a series of family retreats where as many as four generations can come together to reconnect with Jewish life and tradition for the first time. In addition to the Jewish Houses, Federation is the proud supporter of Hillel, a group of students who celebrate holidays, learn, and engage in social action activities together.

In 2003, Federation is also looking to support community wide festivals aimed at raising the profile of the Kiev Jewish community and showcasing the revitalized Jewish culture, as well as a number of training initiatives to secure a dynamic leadership for this community for many years to come.