For the first time in its six-year history, J-Camp held its first session this week in Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan, a Muslim-majority autonomous republic in Russia.

Following several successful summers of J-Camp in Moscow, known for high-quality educational content and unparalleled for the Former Soviet Union camp amenities, brought together 80 local Jewish youth between the ages of 10 and 13 for 12 days of recreation, education and celebration of their Jewish heritage.

The madrichim at the camp largely came from J-Camps in Moscow, but were also joined by several local madrichim from the Kazan Jewish Youth Club.

The campers had the rare and rewarding opportunity to celebrate Shabbat with their peers, research origins of their family names, trace their Jewish roots, participate in the design of the new popup Jewish museum, reflect on Jewish life, simply play outdoors, and make long-lasting friendships.

J-camp, which has been initiated and is being supported by the Genesis Philanthropy Group, has hosted over 1,000 Jewish children from Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union since its launch six years ago.