Congress of Russian Americans

SINCE 1973

You are here: Home / Archives for cra-eb

Humanitarian Programs in US

By

Due to the recent sanctions imposed on Russia, CRA has decided to temporarily cease sending funding for humanitarian programs to Russia.

It appears also, that more of our donors are interested in supporting our Russian American youth and aid handicapped children in the US.  Thus, until the climate changes and becomes conductive again to support handicapped, orphaned and underprivileged children in Russia, CRA has opened a new fund for supporting handicapped and underprivileged children in the US.

CRA has already given aid to several Russian American families with handicapped and terminally ill children.  Recently, Spiderman visited terminally ill 3 1/2 year old Zachary, son of long-standing CRA members, under the program “Heart of a Hero”.   Zachary, who was diagnosed with Gaucher’s at 8 months, after he had surgery for a growth on his lung and extensive chemotherapy, now has been diagnosed with stomach cancer.

There are many children in the US, that need our support, and anyone wishing to donate to the CRA “Handicapped Children in US” fund, can do so by sending your check, payable to CRA to the CRA office address.

 

Please indicate the name of the fund on your check.  Your donations are tax-deductible.

Cleveland Russian Festival

By

Congress of Russian Americans is a proud sponsor of the Cleveland Russian Festival

4th Annual Festival Presented by St. Sergius Cathedral.

JULY 29-31
2016

Rain or Shine!

 

 

unnamedqwq

Visit of A.V. Radkov, deputy head of Rossotrudnichestvo

By

On Monday, June 26, Aleksandr Vasilievich Radkov, deputy head of Rossotrudnichestvo, Moscow, Russia visited the San Francisco Russian American community.
IMG_6611
In addition to visiting the Holy Virgin Cathedral and the Sts.Cyril & Methodious Russian High School classrooms (the school was recessed for the summer) and the Russian American Community Services, he was shown the museum at the Society of Cadets and Veterans of WWI by the President of the society, Svetoslav Danich and Ierodiakon Petr Karakozoff, who was able to explain much of the collections of uniforms, medals and museum exhibits.
IMG_6613
A.V. Radkov, then visited the office of the Congress of Russian Americans and met with CRA Vice-President, Alexander Sinkevitch and CRA office manager, Alexandra Sabelnik-Whooley.   A. Sinkevitch, who is also VP of the Russian Center building, gave a brief tour of the building, before meeting with Yves Franquein, Vice President of the Museum of Russian Culture SF, who gave a quick, but thorough tour of the museum collections.
IMG_6607
CRA president, Natalie Sabelnik, who is also chair of the Coordinating Council of Russian Compatriots, arranged for the tours which were also attended by Deputy Consul General, Andrey Varlamov and Rossotrudnichestvo US representative, Oleg Zhiganov (N.Sabelnik, herself, was out of the country at that time).

July 30th, 10am-6:30pm: Fort Ross Festival

By

Fort Ross Festival 2016: California State Parks and Fort Ross Conservancy are pleased to welcome you to Fort Ross Festival where we celebrate the wonderful diverse international flavors and cultures of Fort Ross. This year’s event, generously sponsored by Renova Fort Ross Foundation, will highlight the Kashia, Russian, Alaska Native, and California ranch era peoples who have called Fort Ross home over the centuries. We’ll offer costumed historical vignettes, hands-on crafts, horse and buggy rides, music & dance from numerous cultures, an international food bazaar — and of course, the Fort Ross Beer Garden!

Get your tickets today!

$20 per car (includes $8 State Parks fee).
Special event bus fee for small capacity bus (24 person or fewer): $100.
Special event bus fee for large capacity bus (greater than 24 person): $225.
Food and drink purchased separately. Questions?
Email us at info@fortross.org, call us at 707/847-3437.

Grab a Pint at our 3rd Annual Beer Garden!

Fort Ross Festival’s Beer Garden, with its incredible front row seat to the Pacific Ocean, offers a great variety of delicious food and cold beverages for you to enjoy while listening to live Americana music. This year is bigger than ever!  We are thrilled to have the continued support from local  Lagunitas Brewing Co. and Tilted Shed Ciderworks, and new this year we will also be serving beer generously donated from our new partners North Coast Brewing Company, 101 North Brewing Co., Uinta Brewing Co. and more cider from Sonoma Cider!  We’ll have a wide variety of beers from each brewer, from hoppy IPAs to rich, roasty Stouts.

Call Picnic Music
Enjoy your lunch  in the warm coastal sun while listening to the Americana melodies of The Bootleg Honeys and The Betty Blues. The Bootleg Honeys has quickly become one of the Bay Area’s favorite Americana acts. Their sweet and lively sound features impeccable three-part harmony and musicianship, as well as a hefty collection of finely crafted original material that will pull your heartstrings and get your boots stompin’. With soulful tunes born out of heartache and whiskey, The Betty Blues combines country and folk rhythms with haunting melodies and deep sultry vocals.
 

Performers

While the Call Picnic Area is alive with Americana music, the historic Fort Ross compound will have a variety of traditional Russian performers. And outside the compound the Kashia Pomo group Su Nu Shinal will dance their traditional dances in their spiritual dance circle.

 

  • Russian House Kedry generously brings Fort Ross to life during the festival and each season with interactive celebrations including traditional Russian folk songs, dances, rituals, games, crafts and baking.
  • East Bay women’s vocal arts ensemble Kitka is inspired by traditional songs and vocal techniques from Eastern Europe. Their exquisite harmonies resonate as if energized by the universe itself. A Kitka trio will perform at this year’s festival. Special thanks to the California Arts Council for supporting Kitka’s performances at Fort Ross.
  • Slavyanka Chorus brings their rich program of Russian sacred and folk music to Fort Ross –ancient church music from Russia’s past sung in the Chapel…and wild Cossack songs in the yard! Don’t miss this wonderful choral group, a long standing tradition of Fort Ross Festival. The Kashia were the first people known to have lived in the area that is now Fort Ross, and they continue to live on these lands today.
  • The Bay Area folk group Dolina revives traditions of different regions of Russia, focusing on authentic folklore singing and dancing of Cossacks. This will be their first time performing at Fort Ross Festival.
  • Su Nu Nu Shinal, which means Huckleberry Heights, are Kashia Pomo and Coast Miwok Indians from California who have been performing traditional dance for over 40 years. They will dance in their traditional dance circle on the ocean terrace outside the fort compound.
  

International Food Bazaar

Choose from a wonderful variety of local vendors in our International Food Bazaar! From fresh oysters, crab cakes and salmon burgers from Northwest Catering Company (Estero Cafe) of Valley Ford, traditional Russian borscht and piroshki from the brand new Russian House #1 in Jenner, or  slow smoked BBQ with fresh coleslaw from BBQ Smokehouse Bistro & Catering. We’ll also offer Californian & European style crepes filled with sweet or savory options from Ultra Crepes, or for a taste of India check out Curry Sensations Chicken or Butternut Squash Curry Rice plates, or Fried Fish Pakora.  For a refreshing and healthful treat, have a serving of Juice Runners Red, Gold & Green veggie/fruit juice mixes, or warm up with an organic hot espresso from Julianne’s Espresso Connection.  We’re also thrilled to welcome back  the incredible flavors of homemade, award-winning, small batch ice cream from Nimble & Finn’s.

“Greens for the Blue” Salad Booth
Support Fort Ross Conservancy’s Marine Ecology Program: Every Dollar You Spend Goes to our Marine Ecology Educational Fund.

Choose from three amazing salad choices generously donated by Whole Foods Petaluma.Fort Ross Conservancy’s Marine Ecology Program (MEP) offers a wonderful opportunity for youth to learn about local marine ecology at Fort Ross. Elementary, middle, and high school students spend one or two days immersed in the day-to-day tasks of a marine biologist. FRC’s Marine Ecology Program is underwritten in part by the California Coastal Commission and Renova Fort Ross Foundation.

A Tale of Fort Ross

We are thrilled to welcome all the way from Pskov, Russia, the very talented Vera Belius, illustrator of the upcoming book A Tale of Fort Ross, published in partnership with Renova Fort Ross Foundation. Vera will hold art classes in the fort compound for children and adults alike to demonstrate and teach techniques in creative drawing.
 

Craftspeople Demonstrating Hands-On Crafts

Settlement Ross was one of the first industrial centers of California, and many skilled craftspeople were hard at work here, building California’s first ships, windmill, clay bricks, barrels, and much more. Today you can watch a blacksmith, tinsmith, weaver, spinner, felt maker, laundress, soap maker, carpenter, broom maker and many others busily preparing their wares, perhaps to trade with the Spanish, Mexicans or Bostonians. Several of the crafts allow you to join the fun–learn to make your own rope, mini-basket, or candle.

Alaska Native Crafts

We welcome Marc Daniels of Make Access Iqyax back to Fort Ross where he’ll continue his traditional boat build of our double iqyax.  And this year we are thrilled to have Andrew Abyo, Alutiiq artist and culture bearer carving paddles and throwing boards.

Ranch-era Call House Museum Walkthrough

George W. Call built this residence in 1878 as a headquarters for the ranch and shipping operations, and a home for their family, which eventually included nine children. The house museum, first open to visitors in May, 2003, is an excellent example of the Early California Ranch period. Many of the furnishings belonged to the Call family. During Fort Ross Festival the Call House Museum will be open for limited viewing only.

Fort Ross Festival Activities

Proposed Schedule (subject to change):

10:00 to 6:30       Fort Ross Conservancy Bookshop in the Visitor Center offers great Fort Ross items for sale
10:00 to 6:30       Enjoy the Museum and our 18-minute introductory Fort Ross video
10:00 to 4:00       Historic crafts, cooking demonstrations, story telling, singing groups Slavyanka, Kedry, Kitka, & Dolina in the fort compound
11:00 to 5:30       International Food Bazaar (Call Picnic Area)
11:30 to 5:30       Beer Garden (Call Picnic Area), also serving coffee & tea
12:30 to 4:30       Horse and Carriage ride (free!) between Windmill and Fort Compound
1:00 to 4:00         Ranch-era Call House walk through
4:30 to 5:00         Kedry and Kitka (Marine Terrace)
5:00 to 5:30         Su Nu Nu Shinal (Dance Circle)

California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact 707/847-3437.  Please leave your dogs at home, Thank you.
 

We would like to thank Renova Fort Ross Foundation for generously funding this event.

Congress of Russian Americans congratulates all Russian American students

By

Congress of Russian Americans congratulates all Russian American students who have graduated this year from Russian Schools throughout the United States. This year, 3 students graduated from the Sts.Cyrill & Methodious Russian High School at the Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco,California and 10 students graduated from the St. Jonah Hankousky Russian Orthodox School at the  Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in Des Plaines, Illinois.   All were awarded complimentary 2016 CRA membership. Of the outstanding students, both Gold and Silver medal recipients were given proclamations of high achievement and a small stipend from CRA.  CRA 2nd Vice President, Dr.Marina Soboleva made the presentations at the California Russian school, and Chicago Chapter director, Lydia Swenton presented at the Illinois Russian school.  During the graduation at St.Cyrill & Methodious Russian School, Pavel Priemishev, one of the Russian School students, was also presented by CRA with an award for his achievement in winning the international competition of “Living Classics”. This is the second year that Pavel Priemishev, participated in the regional competition, sponsored by CRA, and became national, as well as international champion. CRA encourages all students to continue their CRA memberships by renewing annually, and thus be eligible for the CRA scholarship for college and university.

Preservation of Russian historical heritage in the USA

By

CRA President, Natalie Sabelnik attended the recent conference “Historical memory: problems of preservation of Russian historical heritage in the USA”, held on June 9, 2016 at the Russian Cultural Center in Washington DC.  

13423702_1320623287953381_3854762736512615931_n

Speakers included CRA members, Vladimir von Tsurikov, director of the Minneapolis Museum of Russian Art, Margarita Meniailenko, chief archivist of the Museum of Russian Culture, San Francisco, and George Selinsky, grandson of one of CRA’s long-standing members and contributors to Prof.E.A.Alexandrov’s CRA Biographical Dictionary and other leading experts on history of Russian America.   Other speakers included the newly-elected director of the State Archives of the Russian Federation,  Larisa A. Rogovaya and from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Alexander Kuznetsov, director of History & Research Dept. and Yury Matveev, acting head of the Dept.of North America, as well as Peter von Berg, leading Russian actor in the US (featured in such films as Cast Away, the Americans, House of Cards).

13412140_1320627034619673_6438208771976608801_o

Following the conference, all attended the reception in honor of “Russia Days’ at the Russian Embassy in Washington DC.

N.Sabelnik & Dana Rohrbacher

Natalie Sabelnik and Congressman Dana Rohrabacher at the Russian Embassy

Russia Forum New York 2016

By

The annual Russia Forum New York, organized by the Russian Center NY was held on April 21, 2016 at the Princeton Club in New York.

unnamed

During the forum, international, economic, scientific and cultural topics were discussed. Nearly 200 representatives of American financial organizations, well-known economists, representatives of government and community organizations participated in the forum. Participants of the forum included Russian Federation Minister, Moscow Government, Head of the Department of External Economic and International Relations, Sergei Cheremin, Director of the Guggenheim Museum, Richard Armstrong, investor and director of the Wolfsonian Museum, Michael Hughes, patron and founder of “Russian Cultural Initiative” at the American University in Washington DC, Susan Carmel, representatives of the Russian Embassy, RF Trade Representatives, Russian Venture Company and many others.

Potential investment opportunities in Moscow were presented by Minister Cheremin. “For us”, he stated, “participation in this impressive forum opens up opportunities to present our strategy for developments in Moscow. We see as our goal to have Moscow included in the top 20 cities of the world, where best conditions prevail for investment potential. Moscow city government demonstrates openness and eagerness to work with representatives of all business groups”. He informed the audience that prior to the forum, he met with New York city leaders at the mayor’s office. “In fact, we agreed to reinstate our relationship between New York and Moscow, renew active cooperation and collaboration in those spheres that require priority attention, – he explained that “it’s very often that large municipalities have similar problems in areas of town-planning, education and public health”.

unnamed (4)

Chair of the Coordinating Council of Russian Compatriots of the US and President of the Congress of Russian Americans, Natalie Sabelnik pointed out opportunities available in Russia for international business. She was Marketing Manager and Commercial Director for East Russia for Chevron International Oil Company after the fall of the Soviet Union. She underlined that “forums, such as these, create a conducive atmosphere for trust between our two nations”.

Anton Konev, former legislative director at New York State Assembly in Albany, NY spoke in support of developing inter-regional relations. He feels that “this will create better conditions for business”.

Appraising the discussions at the forum, Susan Carmel, founder of the “Russian Cultural Initiative” at the American University in Washington DC, commented to the TASS correspondent, that “each time, people gather at a Round Table, united by common goals, this helps to resolve even the most serious issues”.

 

The Forum was sponsored by the Consulate General of the Russian Federation, NY, the Gorchakov Fund, Moscow City Government, American-Russian Law Institute and the Congress of Russian Americans.

 

TASS Correspondent, Igor Borisenko

more on TASS website http://tass.ru/ekonomika/3230352

 

 

April 21, 2016

Princeton Club of New York, 15 West 43rd NY NY

PROGRAM

12:00 PM         Registration and Welcome Lunch
1:00 PM            Session A: Prospects for Russian-American Cooperation
Keynote            Sergey Cheremin, Minister of Moscow Government, Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relation

Moderator:        Tom Sima, Owner Law Firm of Thomas C. Sima

Natalie Sabelnik, President of the Congress of Russian Americans; Chair of Coordinating Council of Russian Compatriots; former Marketing Manager & Commercial Director for East Russia of Chevron International Oil Company

Anton Konev, Legislative Director to Luis Sepulveda, Member of Assembly, 87th District former City Councilman, City of Albany

Aleksei Lossan, Deputy Editor in Chief Russia Beyond The Headlines

Ruslan Bayramov, President of the International Charitable Foundation “Dialogue of Cultures – United World“, Founder of Ethnomir

2:00 PM            Coffee Break

2:30 PM            Session B: Prospects for Russian-American Business Cooperation

Moderator:       Axel Tillmann, CEO of RVC USA Fund

Mikhail Kalugin, Head of Economic Section at Embassy of Russia, Counselor

Alexander Jutkowitz, CEO of Group SJR

Randi B. Levinas, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of USRBC

Alexander Potapov, Executive Director of Member of the Management Board of RVC

Pavel Efremkin, Chairman of Aerolase Corporation

 3:30 PM           Coffee Break

4: 00 PM           Session C: Russian- American Cultural Cooperation

Moderator:       Anton Fedyashin, Director of The Carmel Institute of Russian Culture and History

Richard Armstrong, Director of The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation

Susan E. Carmel, Founder of The Carmel Institute of Russian Culture and History at American University

Patricia Duff, Founder/CEO of The Common Good

Michael Hughes, Development Director of The Wolfsonian – Florida International University

5:30 PM            Closing Remarks

Объявлены победители конкурса юных чтецов «Живая Классика» в США

By

Конгресс русских американцев поздравляет Павла Приемышева, победившего в международном конкурсе юных чтецов «Живая Классика».

Павел – ученик Свято-Кирилло-Мефодиевской Гимнази, представляющий КРА. Он стал одним из сорока всемирных победителей, и одним из пяти победителей США.

Конкурс проходил в он-лайн формате. Пять детей из Америки вошли в число сорока победителей  со  всех стран мира и  награждены поездкой в Международный детский Центр «Артек»  на финал конкурса:

Приемышев Павел (Калифорния)

Суховеева Александра (Мэриленд)

Белолипецкий Лев (Мэриленд)

Агапова Соня (Висконсин)

Гопан Юнна (Висконсин)

 

Координатор проекта «Живая Классика» Татьяна Щелокова

http://www.youngreaders.ru/online/international.phtml

About CRA

Who we are
What we do
Hall of fame

Overview

History
Russians in America
Did you know
Useful links
Books and publications

News

Announcements News and events Statements and articles

Support

Support CRA

Contact

Contact us