Not Your Babushka's Russian Speaking Jew

In our season finale, we look at philanthropy as an avenue for young people to consider for activating their potential to uplift vulnerable community members locally and globally. This is a chance to challenge the belief we hear inside and outside RSJ circles that RSJs "don't do philanthropy." JDC Board Member Ed Mermelstein and Moishe House's Senior Director of RSJ Projects, Yana Tolmacheva share insights.

In lieu of travel slides, Margarita shares some clips from the recent JDC Entwine Jewish Odesa virtual trip exploring JDC's work in the region, and how it has inspired participants to activate in their own communities. Participant Fima Zaltsman, a Nice Jewish Boy and RSJ Biologist in San Francisco (by way of Moscow/ Michigan/ Midwest), shares. 

Now that we've established the importance of naming the intentions and values you're showing up in your relationships with, we think about arevut, the value that drives people to support those in need. Where does that value come from? We hear three stories—first to Chicago, where Margarita speaks with Lee Litas, journalist and general manager of Forever Young, the senior daycare center that her mother, Chicago radio personality "Martochka" Litas, cofounded to help the same elderly population who enjoyed her shows and events. Then we head to Odesa where we hear from JDC's Inna Vdovichenko about other ways JDC has evolved its response in caring for Jewish elderly—and finally to Brooklyn with Allen Meyerovich whose grandfather's values are inspiring his dedicating time each week to help an elderly JDC client ward off the social effects of isolation during the pandemic through Entwine's Insider Connections Virtual Service opportunity.