Former Soviet Union Pesach Program

For the thirteenth consecutive year, HUC-JIR students will be participating in the FSU Pesach Program, where they will join Jewish congregations in the Former Soviet Union for Passover.  This year we are sending eight students from all over North America and Australia, which include six Rabbinical students and two Cantorial students. The goals of the FSU Pesach Project, in partnership with the World Union for Progressive Judaism, are to:

Deepen the connection between HUC-JIR students and the world of Progressive Judaism
Strengthen Reform Congregations in the FSU
Connect with students' Jewish roots in the FSU
Enjoy the Passover seder with other Reform Jews around the world.
As part of their preparation for this journey, the students are responsible for fund raising to cover the costs per student (including travel expenses, educational materials, and program supplies for all community members, ranging from toddlers to senior citizens, and a gift to show support for each community visited by the students); arranging the logistics (including transportation and visas throughout the FSU); developing the skills to lead the seders and engage the FSU communities in Jewish educational programs; and learning about the history and culture of the FSU.

Project participants have the opportunity to witness Reform Jewish life outside of the United States and Israel, and see ways in which they can contribute to the growth and development Jewish life in other countries in the Diaspora and bring the skills and experiences they gained to their future North American congregations.