The Jewish Federation and its beneficiary agencies have worked in the countries of the Former Soviet Union (FSU) and the Baltic States of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia since 1988. The task has been to not only care for the multitude of impoverished elderly Jews, many of whom are Holocaust survivors, but to foster the renewal of Jewish communal life among a new generation of Jewish communities.

Under Communist control for much of the 20th century, Jews in this region were deprived of all connection to Jewish religion, culture and community. The post-Communist era created an unprecedented opportunity to aid more than 1.3 million Jews in rediscovery of their Jewish heritage. With the support of The Jewish Federation and its agencies, thousands of Jews across the FSU and the Baltics are rediscovering their heritage and rebuilding Jewish communal life. Through such programs as social services for the elderly, Jewish day schools, hospitals, and Jewish community centers, Jewish life has begun to thrive.

The Baltics
The Federation has established a special relationship with the Jewish communities of the Baltics. Once the heart of Jewish culture and learning in Europe, these communities were decimated in the Nazi invasion beginning in 1941. Today, there is a revival of Jewish life. Through its Los Angeles/Baltics Partnership, the Federation and its partner, the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), are helping these communities reclaim their Jewish identities.