Learning to retain their heritage through fun learning

If the students of the JCC’s Rainbow School get as excited about learning as their teachers do, then this after school enrichment program could be on to something.

Sitting with Russian language instructors Edith Galperina, Julia Goldbin and Faina Drits a few minutes before their Sunday classes started, their enthusiasm for teaching was telling as they couldn’t wait to explain what they did.

“Russian Americans can’t feel that they are alone, this makes them feel more comfortable,” said Galperina, who began teaching adults 20 years ago in Far Rockaway and with her husband, Miron, also created a programs for children that included music, manners and a puppet show.

To better serve a growing Russian-Jewish community that initially began in Far Rockaway and has increasingly moved into the Five Towns, and includes former Brooklynites, the Jewish Community Center (JCC) of the Greater Five Towns established the Rainbow School in 2006.

The Rainbow School is a three times a week after school enrichment program created for children of Russian descent that would help maintain their language and culture and also understand Jewish traditions and holidays.

Children are evaluated and placed with a class that is at their level of learning. “This a fabulous program that came from the Russian community itself,” said Yulia Gross, one of the Rainbow School’s three program coordinators. Yelena Fridman and Larissa Levina are the other two. Irina Vainblatt is the program director.

“I am proud to say we care,” said Vainblatt, who came to the JCC six years ago. “For the students it’s self-esteem and confidence; that is what we are doing in our program.”

With classes on Sunday at Temple Israel from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Mondays at the JCC’s Grove Avenue site and Wednesdays at Temple Israel from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., the program engages children from two to early teens.

In addition to the cultural teaching, there is Music with Mommy for children 2- to 3-year olds, Little Star Studio that teaches 4- to 8-year-olds the basics of singing, dancing and acting, and producing shows and movies; Art Studio for burgeoning artists 4 to 8.

“They get a lot out of this, being in touch with their heritage and knowing two languages is very useful for them,” Goldbin said about her students. She has been with the program for two years.

There is also a chess club, where students learn the how to play and prepare for tournaments, a cooking class for children 9- to 15-years old, along with a once a month teen program to discover a love for Judaism and Israel.

“Knowing their roots is very important,” said Drits, who has taught Russian in the program for five years.

On May 5, several children were learning the history and traditions of Lag B’Omer, a festive day (this year on May 10) that marks the death of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, the first to publicly teach the Kabbalah, the mystical component of the Torah. It is celebrated with bonfires, games and playing with bows and arrows.

Temple Israel’s Cantor, Galina Makaveyev, who teaches a few Rainbow School classes had elementary age children playing ring toss for points and prizes, while an imaginary bonfire was light and marshmallows were “roasted.”

In addition to fees, the program is supported by an annual grant of $10 to $15,000 from COJECO (Council of Jewish Emigre Community Organizations). Lisa Klig, a COJECO program director, who also visited on May 5, complimented the Rainbow School’s development. “Irina and everyone is doing a magnificent job and the program continues to grow and make successful progress.”