From Sickle To Tzitzis: YUSSR In Action

Operating out of a small office near the Klein Hall Beis Midrash, YUSSR was founded by several YU students eight years ago, after the fall of communism. Since then, it has been an influential force reaching both individuals and whole communities in th e former USSR. The students who founded it realized how the fall of communism might have implications for Jews in the Soviet Union. Subsequent relaxation of restrictions on Jews presented a tremendous opportunity. The activities of YUSSR have grown in the past eight years, and during the past winter vacation, the organization sent 15 students to Minsk to run a camp stressing Jewish values and heritage.

Eight years ago, the founders of YUSSR went to the Soviet Union to run several programs. On their return, they initiated a full-time effort. Their efforts grew until 1994 when the growth of the program necessitated a true representative in Minsk. Ar i Orlow, a Columbia student, coordinates the day to day activities oversees. The administrative duties in New York are shared by Ari Wartelsky, Binyamin Krauss, Ari Rockoff as well as other YU students and alumni.

The focus of YUSSR’s efforts is on helping Jewish children in the former Soviet Union begin their trek into the religious fold. Ari Wartelsky, the Executive Director, summed up their goal very simply. "We want to show them what Judaism is all about," he said, adding, "[we want] to instill in them Jewish pride. They were not as fortunate growing up as we were, so we want to give them an opportunity to explore their heritage." Through its many programs, YUSSR fosters Jewish life and learning in the former Soviet Union, emphasizing the importance of Aliyah, emigration to Israel, and the continuation of Jewish studies.

While most people know of the intensive summer and winter camps run by YUSSR, many do not realize the variety of year round programs they provide. Their main base of operations is in Minsk, where they now are housed in the new Lauder Lech-Lecha Center . Their programs include Friday night services and groups, as well as religious schooling throughout the week. There the children hear Jewish stories and are taught minimal Halacha. Still, the greatest benefits don’t come from the programs themselves; the counselors often are the greatest benefits -- acting as model examples. In fact, many yeshivot from nearby cities send representatives to observe how the YUSSR officials operate the camp, in order that they may participate and recruit.

While the focus is clearly on the children, many parents find their way into the programs as well. Most parents know as little about Judaism as the children, so while they come to be supportive, they go home enriched. In fact, many parents decide to send their children to religious schools after seeing what goes on in the camps. YUSSR programs take note of this interest and actively involve the parents. Recently, they held a large Channukah gathering which attracted nearly 100 families. Still, the focus remains on the children. "We believe in them and their enthusiasm. That’s what makes it so special," Wartelsky said.

YUSSR also runs interactive halacha classes, where people learn about tzitzit, and then they immediately translate what they’ve learned into action by making the tzitzit themselves. Last Pesach, in an extraordinarily successful event, ov er 300 people gather in Simeropol for a communal Passover Seder. For many, it was the first experience with the traditional Seder.

A major factor contributing to the success of the organization are the people involved in coordinating the events. "Every day is a story" at YUSSR. From meeting people on the streets who they have taught, to hearing stories about their impa ct, there are many tales to tell. Anya Zelikman grew up knowing little about Judaism. She went to a YUSSR summer camp as a translator, soon after made aliyah to Israel, and recently has married an traditionally observant man from New York. Anothe r YUSSR story is about the Russian worker who, on hearing mention of YUSSR, exclaimed, "My son has a bris because of YUSSR!"

But with all the year round programs, the most successful YUSSR events still occur in the summer and winter. At these times, the organization rents campsites in the heart of the former Soviet Union, and then invites Jewish children whose backgrounds r ange widely in their knowledge of Judaism. A shochet, ritual slaughterer, comes to teach about Kashrut, and the counselors stress Jewish values and heritage. Over the recent vacation, YUSSR sent fifteen counselors to Minsk to run one of these cam ps. Keith Lustman and Netanel Lebowitz (REITS) represented YU.

The camp brought together over 80 people, ranging from ten to twenty years old. The younger children, from 10-16 years old, enjoyed a more relaxed atmosphere, with games and activities, while the older children learned and studied more.

It is this program that highlights the dual nature of YUSSR. On one hand the counselors try to provide and enriching environment that fosters Jewish pride and understanding. They try to foster Jewish identity in the former Soviet republics and to teach the teenagers to become models for younger children. Still, the other focus is a strong push towards Aliyah and getting them out of the Soviets. The learning is ultimately focused towards this goal. "We want to help the younger kids to m ove along, but also to build them up to get out of there," explained Lustman. "We’re educating them to leave, but it’s better to lose their influence at home if they can go to Israel."

One of the most moving moments came on the last Shabbos of the trip. After Friday night Tefillot in the Minsk shul, an elderly man approached the counselors and offered to sing a melody. The elderly man then began to sing Avinu Malkenu with the sombe r tune of Rosh Hashana, all the while encouraging the counselors and children with his moving rendition. He explained that as a young boy he was pulled from his home nearby Minsk to fight with the Russians in WW II. When he returned from the war, he fou nd that his small town had been destroyed and all the remnants of Jewish life had been erased. In his bewilderment after seeing the vast devastation, he strayed from Judaism, but later felt the need to do teshuva. As the son of the town cantor, f or this man singing tied him to Judaism and represented his return to the religion.

Lustman reflected, "You go and can make all the difference in their lives . . . Even if they wouldn’t continue with what we teach them, we still give them a positive Jewish experience and they don’t have much of that in their life."