In unprecedented numbers, the Russian-speaking Olim of Israel are rallying behind their new homeland and Tzahal, either in active duty or by contributing their time, talents and money to support our soldiers and strengthen the home front. Please see recent media articles below.
OR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS VIA Giving Group Communities.
100% goes to supporting our Olim and Soldiers.
From the Sunday after the Hamas-inflicted atrocities on Shabbat Simchat Torah, October 7th, Shishi Shabbat Yisraeli began operating several parallel projects in collaboration with the IDF. All of these projects are providing emotional communal support and critical opportunities to contribute, to thousands of new Olim who are still reeling from the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Please help match the contributions of over 350 Russian-speaking Olim who have already donated, because of their deep commitment to Am Yisrael!
Together, our light will surely overcome the darkness!!
Nahafochu! We can turn the darkness of this war into light!
If you would like to assist and welcome our newest Olim arriving from Ukraine and Russia, please fill in this form: https://bit.ly/helpolim
Because Shishi Shabbat Yisraeli is on the frontline of welcoming and absorbing young Russian-speaking Olim socially, professionally, and culturally, we are launching an Emergency New Olim Fund for the surge in Ukrainian and Russian Aliyah that will provide:
Logistical, practical and moral support for new Olim singles and young families via an organized national volunteer network
Psychological services through our young Olim professionals
Welcome Shabbat and holiday meals with our host Russian-speaking members throughout the country, using the Shishi Shabbat Yisraeli Russian-language songbook and Shabbat guide.
Enriching communal activities, including Israel-experience excursions, workshops, lectures, cultural evenings and holiday celebrations to help them know that they have come home!!
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.
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 has active branches with Area Coordinators in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Beer-Sheva, and Bat Yam, in addition to our national programs.
In December 2010, we gathered our first 35 participants for a pilot Friday-Shabbat seminar in December 2010. Since then our seminars have long waiting lists, as we try to keep these weekend events family-like and intimate. Fifty-five participants spend Friday touring and hiking with a professional Russian-speaking guide, in sites of historical and contemporary relevance. Shabbat activities include coaching and group dynamics, discussions on contemporary Jewish topics, traditional Shabbat meals, participant led workshops, and lectures by the Scholar in Residence.
Meetings with famous personalities (Face to Face with Jewish History) and study of Jewish sources on contemporary themes create inspiring forums for personal and professional growth. Large holiday events bring together 200- 300 olim from around Israel to celebrate Tu B'Shvat, Chanuka, Purim, Yom HaAtzmaut etc with their new Shishi Shabbat Yisraeli "family."
Participation in concerts, museum tours, performances etc. to help expose new olim to Israeli dance, theatre, architecture, film, music and fine arts, and the trends that helped build Israeli society, accompanied by artist and cultural experts.
Business Hebrew and Hebrew Through Literature courses help make olim competitive in the Israeli workforce. Professional mentoring with olim lawyers and professionals in a variety of fields provide guidance and networking for new olim.
Members share regularly with one another on Facebook, introducing new friends to the project, sharing info and ideas, helping one another find apartments, jobs etc., and posting photos from our events. https://www.facebook.com/shishishabat
Walking tours, bus excursions and hikes to historical landmarks, nature preserves and agricultural and technological initiatives throughout the country, with Russian-speaking guides.
Joint events with Russian-speaking Taglit and Masa groups and visiting delegations of young leaders from other countries foster important dialogue with the Jewish Diaspora and a strong sense of global Jewish Peoplehood.
Our young FSU Olim around the country invite their peers for Shabbat and Holiday meals, building warm, mini-communities.
Work with WII veterans, lone soldiers, children at risk and assisting with the daily needs of new Olim families from the War in Ukraine, and holiday celebrations incorporating volunteer activity strengthen their sense of giving back to Israeli society.