Terms of Reference | Communities List | How to Visit | Visit Reports | Newsletter
	THE EXODUS 2000 PROJECT HOW IT ALL BEGAN After the fall of Communism, when emigration from the former Soviet Union (FSU) was resumed, Jews in the FSU who did not wish to leave their homes and families were rediscovering Judaism. In 1992 the Exodus 2000 campaign was born out of the highly successful Exodus Refusenik campaign run by the Reform Synagogues of Great Britain (now Movement for Reform Judaism) in the 1980s and early 1990s. That experience placed Exodus 2000 in a unique position to encourage and assist those who wanted to learn about Judaism – something forbidden by the authorities during communist rule. In 2000 the Union of Liberal and Progressive Synagogues (now Liberal Judaism) became co-funders of the campaign, and in 2003 Exodus 2000 came within the aegis of the European Region of the World Union for Progressive Judaism (World Union). UK Congregations in twinning relationships have formed close friendships with their counterparts in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine, and more new links are being forged all the time. WHAT DO WE DO? HOW DO WE DO IT? The Exodus 2000 campaign, working closely with the World Union for Progressive Judaism in Jerusalem and New York, encourages communities in the UK adopt or “twin with” congregations in the FSU. We arrange for rabbis, lay leaders and those with specialist skills to attend and teach at seminars in the FSU. We maintain contact with FSU rabbis to keep up-to-date with local needs and developments. We act as a resource and information centre, working closely with UK congregations to co-ordinate twinnings (including visits between congregations), providing information inside and outside the Jewish community both in the UK and overseas. WHAT’S IN IT FOR OUR COMMUNITIES? The Exodus 2000 project is an additional interest for any Progressive community. It broadens the minds of members and increases awareness of the wider Jewish community through your connection, publicity and group visits. HOW CAN YOU HELP? Set up a group in your Synagogue and give a little of your time to maintain contact with a congregation in the FSU. Help to provide much-needed support in the form of resources for religion schools and kindergartens, organise teaching programmes, arrange visits from UK rabbis and lay leaders, send items of Judaica such as Shabbat candlesticks and candles, chanukiot, chanukah candles, tallitot, kippot, and humanitarian aid in the form of clothing, toiletries and such medicines as are permitted by the FSU Republics’ authorities. Offer the specialist skills you possess from which they could benefit. Join the National Co-ordinating Committee and help develop projects for fundraising as well as supporting Synagogue groups. Your Community can give much needed moral and financial help and most importantly form bonds of friendship with fellow Jews who could have been lost to us and the family of Israel To find out how YOU can help please contact: Exodus 2000, the European Region of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, The Sternberg Centre, 80 East End Road, London N3 2SY Tel: 020 8349 5651 E-mail: lindakann@europeanregion.org