project kesher in israel

History

In February 2007, Project Kesher brought 30 of our leaders from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova and Georgia to Israel for leadership and Israel advocacy training. An unexpected outcome was Project Kesher developing a greater understanding of the significant financial, social and emotional needs of the Russian speaking women who have made aliyah.  The women we met who were living in Israel urged us to bring the Project Kesher model to them.  As a result, Project Kesher Israel was established in March 2008 and fully operational a few months later.

Project Kesher-Israel

In its first year of operation, Project Kesher-Israel (PKI) exceeded our goal of starting 3-4 women’s groups, with the establishment of 10 groups and more than 120 women participating.  PKI has grown to 14 groups in 12 cities throughout Israel.  Close to 1,000 women now participate in Project Kesher-Israel programs annually, and we are growing at an accelerated rate.  As a result of our new Leadership Training Program, PKI now has 33 trained leaders who can facilitate a variety of programs in their communities.

The Project Kesher Model

Our cost effective and self sustaining model is built upon our ongoing success working in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Kazakhstan and Georgia.   We partner with other organizations to maximize the impact of every dollar and to provide a wide range of support services for our groups to connect with.

Demographics of Participants

Project Kesher-Israel, like Project Kesher in our partner countries, helps move the most vulnerable towards self-sufficiency and increased dignity.  In Israel, those faring better are mentoring their struggling peers and developing a role as social activists and change makers. Younger women looking for ways to connect with other Russian speakers and improve social conditions in their community are also finding Project Kesher.

Of Note

• Project Kesher Israel has been connecting women who made aliyah 18 years ago, have excellent Hebrew language skills and good jobs with newer arrivals needing mentoring.  Many of the more vulnerable women are single parents with limited knowledge of Hebrew and without a support system;
• Project Kesher-Israel created its own section on the Project Kesher Russian language website posting information about its meetings, events and social activism.  The Russian language information posted in Moscow about our operations in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine offers significant resources and ideas for replicable programming for our emerging Project Kesher – Israel activists on such issues as Jewish holiday celebrations, women’s health and domestic violence prevention.