PROJECT KESHER ON THE
MOVE!
A Message from Karyn Gershon, Executive Director
Project Kesher continues to build momentum with unprecedented
growth in the Commonwealth of Independent States of the former
Soviet Union (CIS) this past fiscal year thanks to partners
like you who have supported us so generously. I want to extend
a warm invitation to you to join Project Kesher in the Berkshires,
Moscow, or Kiev and Yalta…
But first, just a brief update on our work…
Every month, Project Kesher's network of 155+ Jewish women's
groups and 40+ multi-faith women's coalitions undertake hundreds
of activities to improve their communities. This month, let
me give you a quick peak at what Project Kesher is doing in
dozens of communities on the issue of trafficking.
In Kineshma, Russia, Project Kesher and our partner organization,
The Angel Coalition, held a rock concert which attracted hundreds
of teenage girls. The concert was opened by a well known community
leader who dedicated the evening to ending trafficking in women
and girls and then, activists distributed materials and stickers.
In Novocherkassk, Russia, a Project Kesher activist was
contacted by the immigration service to assist an undocumented,
trafficked woman return to her community and her child. Susanna
found that the woman's apartment was still registered in her
name and used this information as the basis to begin the process
of restoring her passport. She has returned to her community
and will soon have the paperwork necessary to seek employment.
Project Kesher will help.
Project Kesher CIS Director, Svetlana Yakimenko, recently
traveled to Israel where she met with Knesset members including,
Natan Sharansky and was invited to participate on the Knesset's
working committee on trafficking. We hope and pray that its
fall conference will take place as planned.
This does not begin to touch the breadth of our work…
Come learn more.
Join Project Kesher in the Berkshires on Sunday, August
6th from 4 - 6 pm at the Lenox, Massachusetts residence
of Annette and Michael Miller for Russian delicacies, high tea,
lively conversation and exciting updates on Project Kesher's
Jewish educational and social activism programming in the CIS.
There is no couvert for this event but an RSVP is necessary.
Contact Project Kesher for more info. Annette Miller is starring
in Shakespeare & Company's "Martha Mitchell Calling"
that morning. For ticket information, contact the box office
at 413-637-3353 (mention Project Kesher for a ticket discount).
Join Project Kesher in Moscow October 10th - 16th as
we bring a small group of men and women to celebrate the opening
of the new Project Kesher Moscow office and spend a joyful Simchat
Torah with the Moscow Jewish community along with singer song-writer
Debbie Friedman and other special guests. Contact Project Kesher
for more info.
Join Project Kesher in Kiev and Yalta May 14th - 21st
for our next great social activist travel adventure the "Summit
on the Black Sea" bringing together women from the United
States, Canada, Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus and Israel
on this very unique trip to the Crimea Ukraine. Featuring the
music of singer-song writer Debbie Friedman and special scholars-in-residence,
workshops, cross-cultural programming, touring options, briefings
with local leaders, dignitaries and activists, and more…
Space is limited. Contact Project Kesher for more info.
Project Kesher has received our first Torah scroll to bring
to the region during the "Summit on the Black Sea".
Our Torah Return Project brings donated Torahs from the United
States to communities in the region without.
Watch for upcoming Project Kesher events in New York City,
Westchester, Chicago, Florida, Boston and more…
For information on Project Kesher, our Torah Return Project,
Berkshires event, Moscow trip or "Summit on the Black Sea"
contact Shannon Rose at Project Kesher's National Office at
847-332-1994 or at Shannon@projectkesher.org.
Thank you again for supporting our work. I hope you are enjoying
your summer and that I will see you soon!
Karyn
