An interview was given by CRA President to the local Russian newspaper.
CRA News and Events
Congress of Russian Americans celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Anniversary Gala Celebration, Friday, September 22, 2023
at the Russian Center (national headquarters of CRA)
2460 Sutter Street, San Francisco
4:00 pm – Doors open to guests for viewing of exhibits and silent auction bidding
5:00 pm – Presentations of CRA history, humanitarian aid programs & projects
and Hall of Fame Inductions
6:00 pm – Continue bidding on silent auction & viewing of exhibits
including Fort Elizabeth, 100 year Great Exodus, Admiral Stark evacuation and
Tubabao refugee camp with some newly acquired documents
7:00 pm to 11:00pm – Gala Banquet with bountiful buffet dinner Concert and dancing to live music of Goga Engurasoff
To attend the 50th anniversary purchase online at https://bit.ly/445F66F
by September 15, 2023
Dress Code: Semi-formal
For additional information email: CRA50Gala@gmail.com
Discounted parking available across the street
For airline & hotel reservations, please contact Andrey@Russian Connections at andrey@russianconnections.com or tel. or text
1-415-779-4728
Proceeds & donations will go to youth educational & children’s programs,
humanitarian aid and families in crisis support in US, Russia & Ukraine
and to our member organizations who support these projects.
Thank you for your support and participation.
We look forward to seeing you at our 50th Anniversary Celebration.
Centennial of USAT Merritt Arrival to Angel Island in California.
On July 1, 2023, Congress of Russian Americans sponsored a centennial anniversary commemoration of the arrival of U.S. Army Transport USAT Merritt out of Manila, Philippines with White Russian refugee passengers on Angel Island in San Francisco Bay. The 526 passengers were survivors of some seven thousand who had fled in October 1922 from Vladivostok & Primorskyi Krai, the last outpost of resistance against the Bolshevik Revolution and Russian Civil War With the aid of the Red Cross, these refugees finally landed on Angel Island Immigration Station on July 1, 1923. The event honoring the centennial anniversary of their safe harbor arrival was coordinated by CRA member and independent historian, Olga Kachina.
The commemorative event began with approximately 50 descendants of the USAT Merritt refugees and their families arriving by ferry at Ayala Cove on Angel Island State Park and taking shuttles to Fort McDowell. Visiting these army barracks, where the refugees lived while anxiously awaiting their immigration status to be confirmed, was a somber moment of tribute to these brave refugees. The event attendees witnessed the setting, where these people finally found hope of safety after living in perpetual fear of war and the threat of deportation.
After exploring Fort McDowell, the group proceeded by shuttle to the Angel Island Immigration Station, where they were treated to a brief reception, with an array of food, Russian tea, candies, and desserts, prepared by CRA staff and volunteers. After introductory remarks made by Angel Island staff and CRA President, Natalie Sabelnik, Olga Kachina presented a detailed historical account of the USAT Merritt journey and the families that were on board. Many of the descendants also shared photographs and stories of their families’ struggles and throughout the USAT Merritt journey. The full-day’s program concluded with a tour of the Angel Island Immigration Station Museum.
This nostalgic event provided an opportunity for descendent families, scattered across the United States over time, to reunite and share a treasured moment in their common family histories. CRA was proud to sponsor the commemoration of such a valuable moment in history and honor the brave refugees that left their homeland in search of safety and stability.
Pushkin’s Day in San Francisco.
The commemoration of the great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin’s birthday was celebrated in San Francisco on June 11, 2023. A theatrical performance, based on one of Pushkin’s fairy tales, was performed in the hall of Sts.Cyrill & Methody’s Russian High School at the Holy Virgin Cathedral. Following a performance by a group of children, senior students read Pushkin’s works from the stage. The Pushkin evening was organized by the Congress of Russian American’s “Youth Ambassador’s Club”.
The 6th of June, the birthday of the great Russian poet and writer Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin has been unofficially considered as “Pushkin’s Day” since the 19th century. Officially it was first celebrated in 1999 – on the day of the 200th anniversary of the birth of the literary genius who laid the foundations and became a model of modern Russian language. Over time, in 2011, Pushkin’s Day was combined with another holiday – the Day of the Russian Language.
International Russian Language Day.
Russian Language Day is being celebrated in the United States today, traditionally its coincides with a birthday of a famous Russian poet Alexander Pushkin on June 6, marking the importance and richness of the Russian language. This event provides an opportunity for Americans to appreciate and explore the beauty of the language spoken by millions around the world. Language enthusiasts, students, and cultural organizations come together to organize various activities such as workshops, lectures, and performances that showcase the diverse aspects of Russian language and culture. The day serves as a bridge between different cultures, fostering understanding and friendship. It is a celebration of linguistic diversity and the power of language to connect people across borders. Congress of Russian Americans is hosting an event (check our announcements section) to celebrate Puskin’s Birthday and mark International Russian Language Day. Picture attached: monument dedicated to Alexander Pushkin erected in 1941 in NJ.
Memorial day 2023. Fort Ross Pilgrimage.
On Memorial Day Monday each year, the annual Fort Ross chapel liturgy is held, followed with a procession to the cemetery, where a large Russian Orthodox cross marks the site of the settlement’s cemetery. One hundred thirty-one people were buried in the cemetery during the Russian-American Company’s thirty-year settlement. This year, May 29 was no exception and the lunch (trapeza) which was held at the Our Lady of Kazan Church at Russian River was sponsored in part by the Congress of Russian Americans. A group of parishioners from the Holy Ascension Church in Sacramento provided the delicious meal of traditional kavkaz shishlik and shurpa with various salads and pies for dessert. Archbishop Kyrill and Bishop Theodosy along with V.Rev. Paul Volmensky, V.Rev Alexander Krassovsky, Archdeacon Peter Karakozoff, Deacon Alexei Baranoff and other clergy and nearly 75 guests were in attendance.
This Memorial Day, we remember those heroes who courageously gave their lives.
Memorial Day 2023 is commemorated on Monday, May 29. It is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Thank you to the men and women who served proudly and gave their lives to insure our freedom! Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season.
One of CRA’s projects is the continuation of the list of names of Russian Americans who were in the US military and participated in any of the wars, including, but not limited to WW2. This list was started by CRA founders over 50 years ago. Many of the names, bios, photos appeared in CRA’s almanacs “Russian American”, as well as CRA’s biographical dictionary, published some 20 years ago. CRA has decided to continue this list, and hope you or who have had any members of the family or friends fill out the below form and send it to us at: crahq.sf@gmail.com. We feel it very important to acknowledge the Russian Americans, who living in the US, defended this nation for the right of freedom and many gave their lives to this cause! Should you have any questions, please feel free to send your questions to CRA email.
Picture attached: Monument erected in 1946, in New Jersey in memory of the the fallen Russian-American military service men. Memory Eternal.
CRA sponsored Russian Charity Ball in Los Angeles.
Annual Russian Charity Ball took place in Los Angeles on May 13, 2023. This year’s Ball was dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Russian Culture Museum-Archive in San Francisco. The funds raised during the Ball will be distributed between the museum and Russian Children Benevolent Society in Los Angeles.
History class presentation.
Members of CRA Los Angeles Chapter along with the Russian Los Angeles Research/Collective took part in presenting a presentation during a Russian history class at a parochial school in Los Angeles. School students currently studying history of the Civil war and evacuation from Crimea of the White Russian Army under the command of baron Wrangel. Members of the CRA Los Angeles chapter shared life stories of their parents who were part of that evacuation and students read poems written by poet Nikolai Touroverov. 
Christ has Risen! Happy Easter!
Wishing all our members, families, friends and supporters a Happy Easter!
Христос Воскресе! Воистину Воскресе!
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