A community of heart
A community of souls
SERVING THE 15,000+ JEWS OF ROSTOV-ON-DON, RUSSIA SINCE 2007
Filled with courage, perseverance, and love, the Jews of Rostov are a living testament to the Jewish spirit of survival and revival. Our mission is to provide for their material and spiritual needs.
From embers to flames
OUR STORY
Before WWII, Rostov was a thriving hub of Jewish culture and tradition. But in 1942, the Nazis attempted to extinguish it all in a devastating two-day massacre that killed tens of thousands.
Today, 75 years later, the embers of Judaism in Rostov burn brightly as a beacon of resilience and revival.
With our flourishing day school, bustling synagogue, life-saving humanitarian initiatives, active youth groups, support for Holocaust survivors, and so much more, the Jewish community of Rostov is roaring back to life. But our work has only just begun.
They tried to destroy us.
We rose even stronger.
They TRIED to stamp out our identity.
We strove to deepen it.
They hated US indiscriminately.
We love one another fully.
Our impact at a glance
157
children grades 1-11 enrolled in Jewish Day School
2,900
hot meals delivered monthly through our Soup Kitchen
355
local and regional youth attending our overnight camp
210
holocaust survivors & elderly receiving weekly home visits
275
winter coats and warm clothing distributed yearly
PROGRAMS & SERVICES
When they need us, we're there.
Through grassroots community efforts, our small team moves mountains to meet the physical and spiritual needs of every Jew living in Rostov, regardless of their age or background.
Kindness
MEALS ON WHEELS
FOOD & CLOTHING DISTRIBUTION
WEEKLY SOUP KITCHEN
Education
JEWISH DAY SCHOOL
YOUTH CLUBS
TORAH SEMINARS
Inclusion
SPECIAL NEEDS PROGRAMS
HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR SUPPORT
Belonging
OVERNIGHT CAMPS
YOUTH SHABBATONS
HOLIDAY PROGRAMS
Meet the souls of Rostov
Meet Maxim
“The first time I felt my soul was when I was ten. I saw a necklace with a Star of David on it. I’ve worn it every day since.”
Meet Miriam
"It took a war and a difficult move, but today my dream has come true. I'm so happy that I was able to join the Jewish community here. I found my place.”
Meet Yuri
“If we are here today, it means that many generations of our ancestors kept the light of Judaism going. Now that it’s in our hands, how can we let it go out?”
“My friends at the synagogue are my family.”
I don’t have any family left. My husband passed away 15 years ago, and I never had any children. My friends at the synagogue are my family. The highlight of my week is gathering together with them at the Kiddush club. I never miss an event.
— Miriam Goldfarb, 90
The Kindness Store
Russia’s 1st special needs camp
Overnight camp
BRING JOY TO THE JEWS OF ROSTOV
With no local support, our work relies on the generosity of people around the world.
You may live in another country and speak a different language, but we share one heart. We are one family. Your brothers and sisters in Rostov need you.
