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“Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the Earth”
(Isaiah 43)

Even during wartime in Israel, 2000 Russian-speaking Olim (new immigrants) - 70% of the total Aliyah - continue to arrive in Israel every month!!

These talented Olim are a miracle of Jewish history and the base of our Start Up Nation. They are contributing in countless ways to our country and need our support, without any other family or communal network. Many are still reeling from the ongoing war in Ukraine

Founded in 2010, Shishi Shabbat Yisraeli is a critical, Jewish communal anchor for our over 18,000 young Olim members, all of whom have been affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Nahafochu! We can turn the darkness of this war into light!

Since December 2010, Shishi Shabbat Yisraeli has welcomed over 18,000 new young FSU Olim to Israel, helping ensure their successful personal, cultural and professional absorption into Israeli society.

Our educational team runs over 30 Russian and Hebrew-language events every month - in our new Tel Aviv “Dacha”, in JerusOlim House, Haifa, Beersheva and other locations throughout Israel - to strengthen Jewish and Israeli connectedness and build warm, supportive community for Russian-speaking Olim aged 20-36.

PLEASE DONATE TODAY:

Our Programs

Monthly Friday-Shabbat Retreats for Young FSU Olim and Young FSU Olim families.

Art Zehut (Art-Identity) Workshops and Israeli Cultural Encounters (Argaman Project) every month.

Local Walking Tours, Bus excursions and hikes to explore and understand Israel while building new friendships.



Community Holiday Celebrations, and Shabbat and Holiday Host Project - more veteran Olim inviting newer Olim to their homes for Shabbat and holidays.

Professional mentoring lectures and Psychological Support groups, providing advice and counseling through weekly Zoom webinars, and in-person meetings.

Torah with a Tel Aviv Vibe and other Jewish learning projects that connect new Olim to their historical values, traditions and homeland - giving them the "why" so they can better approach the "how" of living in Israel!



Russian-Hebrew Shabbat Zmiron (Songbook) and Libraries of Russian-language texts and literature on Jewish and Israeli themes

Conversational Hebrew Clubs throughout Israel, to build confidence in Hebrew, explore Hebrew texts, films and more, and create new friendships and community.

Ongoing Volunteer projects and 1500 strong volunteer network in memory of fallen member Police Officer Andrei Poshivay ( Nova Festival) to assist Olim reservist families and elderly FSU Olim in cities throughout Israel.

Press

Reporter's notebook: Shishi Shabbat Israeli - Climbing mountains and bridging cultures

Everyone I spoke to, regardless of where they were from, how long they lived in Israel, or if this was their first event, said the same thing: Community.

https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-834832
NGO supporting Russian-speaking Olim celebrates Hanukkah in new Tel Aviv center

'Shishi Shabbat Yisraeli' inaugurates new center and welcomes new Russian Olim to celebrate and sing a uniting Hanukkah hymn; 'When I arrived in Israel, I felt as though I had returned home'

https://www.ynetnews.com/article/ry0r4y3h1x
"סופי השבוע האלה עוזרים לנו להרגיש יותר יהודיים"

ישראל מתאמצת להביא עולים ארצה, אבל ללא קליטה תרבותית מתאימה חלקם בוחרים לעזוב. מיזם "שישי שבת ישראלי" מעניק לצעירים שעלו לבדם מרוסיה חוויה ייחודית של חיבור לתכנים יהודיים וישראליים באווירה קהילתית סוחפת. המלחמה הנוכחית, מתברר, דווקא העמיקה את הזדהותם עם ישראל

https://www.makorrishon.co.il/culture/745917/
'Not just a physical space': Activity center for new immigrants from FSU opens in Tel Aviv

Over Sukkot, over 150 young Russian-speaking immigrants gathered to celebrate the opening of the center, SSY stated.

https://www.jpost.com/j-spot/article-826463

Background

Russian-speaking immigrants who came to Israel as teenagers or young adults over the past fifteen years – and continue to arrive en masse - are among the nation's most precious assets, yet alienation from Israeli culture and a very limited support network are reducing the impact of these talented and motivated young people on Israeli society and creating a disproportionately high rate of emigration among this population group.

The founders of Shishi Shabbat Yisraeli – Russian and Hebrew-speaking educators, academics and community professionals -  recognize that many Russian-speaking young people in Israel were active in their Jewish communities in the FSU, but after making aliyah, feel estranged from mainstream Israeli culture – "there I was Jewish; here I am Russian."

Our educational, social and volunteer activities are empowering them to continue their activism in their new homeland, strengthening their sense of belonging and their chances for personal and professional success.





Shishi Shabbat Yisraeli



Transforming Lives and Building Israel - One Oleh at a Time!

Shishi Shabbat Yisraeli has helped transform the lives and promote the personal and professional success of thousands of talented young Russian-speaking olim,  to Israel’s tremendous benefit.

Shishi Shabbat Yisraeli (Israeli Weekend), founded in the Fall of 2010, is a vibrant, nationwide educational initiative for  Russian-speaking Israelis aged 18-35, which aims to strengthen Jewish and Israeli identity, bolster Jewish unity,  foster personal and intellectual growth and develop talented young leadership for Israeli society and the Jewish  People.

We are a warm and supportive community of over 18,000 young Russian-speaking soldiers, students and young professionals. Our Friday-Shabbat retreats, excursions, study evenings, cultural events, volunteer, holiday and olim empowerment activities are helping young Israeli immigrants thrive personally and professionally in their new home, in an atmosphere of community, pluralism, Jewish literacy and Jewish Peoplehood.

Our Partners