As indicated by its new annual budget, the Jewish Congress of
Russia plans to distribute a sum of 2.6 million dollars to
various communal projects to be coordinated in Moscow.
This year's budget is similar to last year's. The financial
situation of the leaders of Russian Jewish society has not
been adversely affected by the current crises in Russia.
Leaders of certain organizations in Moscow were actually
pleased to discover that their fear of being adversely
affected by the steep devaluation of the ruble did not
materialize. During the last year, the ruble lost more than
70% of its value.
The Jewish Congress of Russia was founded in 1996 with the
support of prominent Russian tycoons. It defrays the costs of
10% of Jewish projects in Russia. Among the contributors to
the Congress are the Jewish Agency of Israel, the American
Joint Distribution Committee and other organizations. 60% of
the money, however, is contributed by Vladimir Gosniksi, the
media millionaire, and Boris Chayat, a businessman
specializing in banking and insurance.
The largest single share of the budget -- half a million
dollars -- will be used to support social and welfare
projects in Moscow. 45 branches of the Congress will be
established throughout Russia to attend to the needs of local
Jews.
During recent years, these branches distributed more than
five million dollars, derived from various funds established
by Russian businessmen. Money was collected through
successful fundraising campaigns. In Samara, Kazan and
Lavdan, in the Volga region, more than a million dollars were
collected.
