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75th Anniversary of the End of WWII. Russian-Americans in the United States Armed Forces during WWII.

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This year marks the 75th anniversary of WWII. Victory Day, commemorates the surrender of Nazi Germany 1945. It was first inaugurated, following the signing of the German Instrument of Surrender late in the evening on 8 May 1945 (after midnight, thus on 9 May Moscow Time). V-E Day was observed on May 8, 1945, in Great Britain, Western Europe, the United States and Australia, and on May 9 in the Soviet Union and New Zealand.
Regardless of the day that the world acknowledges victory over Nazism, CRA recognizes the many lives lost throughout the world, no where more than the Soviet Union, with over 24 million military and civilian lives lost there alone, and salutes all of our veterans for their heroic courage under fire, who gave the ultimate sacrifice – their lives.
For many years, Congress of Russian Americans collected data of Russian-American veterans in the US. This “Golden list of Russian-American veterans” was collected by one of CRA’s founding members and US Army Colonel Oleg Olegovich Pantukhoff, son of Oleg Ivanovich Pantukhoff, founder of ORUR, Russian Scouts St.George Pathfinders and himself a colonel in the Life guards of the Russian Imperial army and published in various issues of CRA’s “Russian American” magazine and CRA’s Biographical Dictionary, compiled by Prof. Eugene A. Alexandrov.
During the war some 16 million Americans served in the United States Armed Forces, with 405, 399 killed and 671,278 wounded. Colonel Pantiukhov listed 159 Russian-American WWII veterans in the US military, which included 39 who gave their lives on the front. Photos and biographical data (both in English and Russian) of those were featured in CRA’s “Russian American”, as well as the Biographical Dictionary of Russians of North America (including those Russian-Americans who gave their lives in WWII, were kamikaze suicide flier, Vladimir Klochkov, Lieutenant Commander Nicholas Elin, Seargent Paratrooper John Lukashevich Jr., Lieutenant Georges Koushnareff, commanding a mine-throwing mission, wounded flying over Algiers, where he subsequently died, Lieutenant with the tank division of the US Army, Victor Staradoub, Army Air Force Lieutenant Alexander Rusecky, Private Marine Corp. Walter Valaskov, Peter Kisel with the Infantry Division, who participated in the Invasion of France, Sergeant 1st Class Special Agent CIC, Michael Varenik, who had already been a veteran of the Russian Civil War before serving in counterintelligence in WWII and many more).
Famous Los Angeles historian, A.Dolgopolov (himself a veteran of WWI & Russia’s Civil War) gathered lists of Russian veterans in America,  his list included  more than 2399 names. All three (Pantukhoff, Dolgopolov, Alexandrov) continued to state that this work has not been completed and we must continue the work of gathering these names. To further complicate finding many of these people from the 2nd and 3rd generations of Russians in America, many changed their names. such as Evgenyi Kiaschenko who Americanized his name as Eugene Kayes. 

The main logo: DOD, DVIDS and Graphics by Lynn Kaczenski.

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Христос Воскресе!

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Христос Воскресе!  Воистину Воскресе!
On behalf of the National Board of Directors of the Congress of Russian Americans and myself, we wish all of our members, sponsors, donors, supporters, friends,
a most blessed and joyous Easter.   Wishing all of you strong health and prosperity during these difficult times.
Natalie Sabelnik
President, Congress of Russian Americans

Public announcement re Coronavirus.

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With the rapid spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) throughout the world, and specifically the United States, Congress of Russian Americans’ office, headquartered in San Francisco, CA, will remain closed until further notice.   We thank our CRA members for their continued membership, donations and support. However, we will be unable to respond to your telephone calls or letters, as the building is virtually closed for access.
 
All of CRA’s currently planned events have been canceled in the SF Bay Area, as well as throughout our nationwide chapters.  
 
If you need to reach CRA for any reason, please email crahq.sf@gmail.com.   We will be checking our email periodically and respond to inquiries in a timely manner.  
To all our members, friends and extended families you are all in our thoughts and prayers, especially those that are afflicted or must continue their jobs as first responders or providers of essential services.  All are at risk and we want to stress the importance of sheltering in place and social distancing.
 

32nd annual Russian Festival in San Francisco.

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Congress of Russian Americans was a proud sponsor of the 32nd annual Russian Festival held at the Russian Center of San Francisco on the weekend of February 21, 22, 23, 2020.
Each year the festival brings together the Russian American community to celebrate “Maslenitsa” with 3 days of traditional Russian food, drink, desserts, arts & crafts and a variety of entertainment
featuring Russian dancers, musicians, singers in authentic colorful costumes.  The Museum of Russian Culture is open throughout the 3 days and displays their collections, archival material and exhibits,
as is the Library with their collection of over 20,000 Russian books.  Local Russian artists display their artwork, which can be purchased, as well as admired.  Other arts & crafts for sale include Matrioshka
stacking dolls, Russian shawls, souvenirs and a large collection of jewelry of precious and semi-precious stones.  CRA has a table throughout the 3 days of the festival with information about our organization,
our events, humanitarian aid and historical programs, funds, as well as a photo display of last year’s work, as well as information about CRA’s upcoming commemorative events and sponsorships.DSC_6495

Old-Style Russian New Year’s Celebration

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This year marks the 70th anniversary of the arrival of the first ship to San Francisco from Tubabao (November 30, 1950 on the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) ship USNS General M. L. Hersey ).  Refugees, residents of the island encampment, in several ships had already left the island earlier that year to Australia and other countries, and this ship was the first of three that arrived to America.   This year also marks the 90th anniversary of the League of Russian Women (later to be renamed Russian American Women’s League in SF), and over 95 years of the All Cossack’s Union.  Both organizations were founded in Shanghai in the early to late 1920’s by White Russians who fled the terror of the Russian Revolution and Civil War.   Many organizations were founded, but not many survived.   Yet these two found strength in working together and continued their work, not just in Shanghai, but through Tubabao and in the United States.
 
According to an article from one of the Russian newspapers “Slovo” in Shanghai, dated 1926, the Cossack Balls were considered one of the most grand in the city.  Held at the Majestic Hotel in Shanghai in 1926 and throughout the years as annual balls , Cossacks dressed in their respective Cossack regiment’s uniforms performed as a choir on stage for the delight of the guests.  Many who came in the 1950’s may recall the grand Cossack balls held in San Francisco at the Russian Center.  These traditions have been carried throughout the years, and the Cossacks though dwindling in numbers have continued to hold their traditional Old Russian Style New Year.  
 
This year, joining forces with the Russian American Women’s League (who have their own legendary history, as well as many of whom are also Cossack descendants), the traditional Old-Style Russian New Year was held at the Russian Center’s Gold Room on Friday, January 10.  This was a partnership of cooperation and respect, commemorating 90 years of working together and was a celebration for members (and their families) of both organizations.  While the quantity of members of both organizations may have declined in recent years, both organizations continue their work and united, celebrated the holiday season and their annual commemoration of the Old-Style Russian New Year.
A pot-luck dinner proved that the members, families and friends were able to start the Old New Year celebration together in harmony and commeraderie. Both the zakuski, the main table and dessert table were full of the most delicious variety of gourmet delicacies that Russian hostesses prepared for this joyous celebration. Guests also brought their own favorite drinks. It wasn’t about eating and drinking, it was truly about celebrating together.
Palina Suhonos, who coordinated the tables and pot-luck thanked those people from each organization that brought this evening together. This included the wonderful ladies of both organizations – Nadia Buick, Irene Goncharoff, Sasha Sabelnik-Whooley, Vika Sabelnik, and Katia Sabelnik-Snider who donated her time and help as a director of Russian Center to help set-up and clean-up of the evening. Of course, Palina also thanked everyone who brought food and helped with making this evening a success.
Goga Engurasoff, a favorite of the Russian community, donated his time and talent to the event, with guests dancing to throughout the evening, and our own world-celebrated Nikolai Massenkoff sang several Cossack songs, bringing the audience to join in the singing.
All agreed, that the speech by Congress of Russian Americans (who was a sponsor of the event) president, Natalie Sabelnik who reached out to the participants that there are so few of us left, that we need to work together was inspirational. She encouraged people to join both organizations – Cossacks & League, and people agreed that we, indeed, need to carry on these traditions and we indeed need to work together. Some filled out applications straight away to both Cossacks Union and League, and others approached the directors of each board and promised to join and help in future events.
With the start of the New Year and the new decade, let’s continue working together in harmony and prosperity, much like our parents and grandparents did when they were forced to live abroad, awaiting return of our Russian homeland.

“Taste of Russia” festival in San Francisco.

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On Sunday, October 20, 2019, the doors opened at 11:00am for the 12th time for the “Taste of Russia” festival at the Holy Virgin Cathedral. Only one year was missed, since its inception in 2006, when there were conflicting schedules of all of the dedicated volunteers and miscellaneous other community events in San Francisco Bay Area.
There was much to do in the area of the cathedral and school halls and the courtyard, including tasting all of the traditional Russian foods, such as piroshki, borscht, pelmeni, beef stroganoff, as well as a barbecue of sausages, shashlik and fine meats. Both bars, courtyard and in the walkway between halls, offered plenty of libations, including Russian beer, wines, flavored vodkas, mixed drinks and sodas, juices and waters. Truly a labor of love, families worked together to set up, prepare, cook, clean and support the efforts of this Russian Orthodox community fundraising effort for the beloved Holy Virgin Cathedral, home of the relics of St.John of Shanghai and China.
The cathedral choir with their choir director, Vladimir Krassovsky, in addition to singing the liturgy stayed to perform a repertoire of their concerts in the cathedral hall, and the multi-talented Vladimir Krassovsky, iconagrapher also presented an icon painting demonstration.
The official opening was at 12:00 noon, on the stage in the school hall, when Congress of Russian Americans, President Natalie Sabelnik thanked everyone for coming, performing, volunteering and helping under the skilled leadership of Mira Troyan. Shawn Sabelnik-Whooley presented Mira Troyan with a bouquet of flowers and thanked Ms.Troyan for her wonderful organizational work. Sabelnik, who was the MC, also thanked dedicated sound engineer Nick Ionoff and his assistant, Carlos for their enormous help in coordinating all of the music and sound needs. Sabelnik also introduced Matt Davis from the US Department of State, Foreign Missions to say a brief word. Matt Davis, although not a native Russian speaker, who tries to speak Russian to his two young children, thanked Natalie Sabelnik for the invitation, explained how he has worked with CRA in the past, and congratulated the cathedral for a splendid “Taste of Russia” festival.
Congress of Russian Americans was one of the sponsors of the festival, and the coordinators of the program of entertainment, which included beautiful costumes and dances of Vladimir Riazantsev’s Russian Folk Ensemble (where V.Riazantsev also accompanied the dancers on the bayan), newcomers to the festival, Slavitza Folk A-Cappella Group, Sivka-Burka Children’s Cossack Ensemble (again accompanied by V.Riazantsev), Kalinka Women’s Dance Ensemble from Sacramento with young singer, Liliya Vartanova, classical guitarist, Yvgenyi Shilin, singers Oksanna & Liza Nadelson (accompanied by Roman Shatsev), and again Liza with her brother, David, in a Latin ballroom dance. Another newcomer to the HVC stage, Soussanna Chubarian (accompanied by Tatiana Scott). Halfway through the program, Natalie Sabelnik introduced her daughter, Sasha Sabelnik-Whooley to assist with the introductions of the performers, and introduced stage veterans, Russian Center Dance group, under the direction of Aleksei Prokoshin. The program concluded with the Grande Finale by world-reknowned Nikolai Massenkoff and his Massenkoff Russian Folk Orchestra (including piano, flute, guitar, balalaikas, 2 accordions and again, V.Riazantsev on the bayan). It’s important to note, that three of the programs performers were Honored Artists, V.Riazantsev (Russia), Yvgenyi Shilin (Kazakhstan) and Roman Shatsev (Belorussia).
During the intermissions, audience could visit the CRA sponsor table, eat more of the delicious food and a vast variety of desserts (e.g. napoleon, vatrushka & many more), buy souvenirs, jewelry, arts & crafts from the tables of the Russian American Women’s League and the Sisterhood of the Holy Virgin Cathedral. All proceeds going to the cathedral’s fundraiser.
Comments by many of the guests were that the food was plentiful, delicious and some of the best Russian food they’ve every had. The music, singing, dancing and the Russian costumes, especially the bejeweled boyar costumes, the cossack uniforms, sarafans, and all the rest of the colorful costumes also contributed to one of the best programs attended. This was evidenced at the end, when guests were reluctant to leave and were already making plans for next year’s “Taste of Russia” festival (yet, to be determined when)!
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Russian Imperial Charity Ball in San Francisco.

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Congress of Russian Americans and Russian American Women’s League were sponsors of the recent Russian Imperial Charity Ball, held at the Russian Center SF on Saturday, September 14, 2019.
The charity ball was intended to raise funds for CRA’s “Dunya Fund”, the St.George Pathfinders Russian Scouts, as well as the Russian Children Benevolent Society in Los Angeles.  CRA organized a silent auction to include funds raised from the auction towards the humanitarian aid for Dunya Bykon, daughter of Father Alexei Bykon, who was born with Spina Bifida and requires further medical support, treatment and surgery to enable her to walk.

Russian Imperial Charity Ball

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Congress of Russian Americans is a proud sponsor of the 
Assembly of Russian Nobility, Chapter of Western USA’s
           Russian Imperial Charity Ball
held at the Russian Center, 2460 Sutter Street in San Francisco
on Saturday, September 14, 2019 at 7:00pm to 1:30am
(Discounted parking across the street)
 
Join us for an evening of enchanting entertainment, a champagne reception,  bountiful plated dinner with wine, champagne and vodka, exciting dinner program,  and a night of dancing.
 
Bring your check book to bid on the many unique, one-of-a-kind items at the  silent auction – collectibles, gifts, books, CDs, jewelry, fine art, crafts and more…
 
All proceeds profit the following children’s humanitarian aid programs:  
Congress of Russian Americans “Dunya’s Fund”, St. George Pathfinders and  the Russian Children’s Benevolent Society, Inc.
All are 501 (c) 3 non-profit organizations and all donations are tax-deductible
 
Tickets are $100 per person or $900 for a table of 10.  Reservations necessary.
 
For tickets or more information, contact Julia at (415) 609-5433 or info@RICBLA.com
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CRA President met with the Mayor of Krasnoyarsk.

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On May 26, 2019, CRA President, Natalie Sabelnik met with the Mayor of Krasnoyarsk, Sergey Eryomin at the Krasnoyarsk Social Festival “City   of equals – building together” on the island of Tatyshev. N.Sabelnik came to Krasnoyarsk on May 19 (through May 27) by personal invitation of the mayor to participate in meetings with Krasnoyarsk Region officials (governor’s office), as well as Krasnoyarsk city administration, and to take part as a guest speaker on their first day of the festival on their social & humanitarian issues. N.Sabelnik reported that she was pleasantly and unexpectedly surprised how Krasnoyarsk was focusing on aid to seniors, handicapped, people with disabilities and mobility issues and all the programs they now had in place, as well as an emphasis on volunteerism, including middle-aged volunteers, teens and children. This was something that CRA had hoped for when they first started their humanitarian aid after the fall of the Soviet Union.
The last time, Natalie Sabelnik visited Krasnoyarsk was over 15 years ago, when she worked as Commercial Director for Chevron International, and commented on how the city had grown and prospered, appearing to be like other major European cities that she had visited during the past years.
     N.Sabelnik established a relationship with Krasnoyarsk city administration in 2011, when she facilitated city official VIP visits in 2012 for the Fort Ross Bicentennial celebrations. Since then, there have been other exchange and participation in other events and projects.
This year, Krasnoyarsk hosted the World Student Games (Universiade) and it was telecast on local TV stations in the US. N.Sabelnik commented on how upscale the games were, and was now impressed by the professionalism and quality of the Social Festival. During the conference, where N.Sabelnik was a guest speaker, the auditorium, seating over 1000 people was filled to capacity, showing how many citizens of Krasnoyarsk were interested in these programs.
     Natalie Sabelnik’s participation in projects, significant for Krasnoyarsk, became the main subjects of the meeting with Mayor Eryomin – preserving the memory of commodore Nikolay Rezanov, who is buried in Krasnoyarsk; interaction of US & Russia along the Alaska-Siberia route. As next year approaches, it is important to note how US & Russia were allies in WWII and the Alaska-Siberia route is an excellent example of this. Also during the meeting, N.Sabelnik suggested a sister-city relationship of Krasnoyarsk, suggesting Sacramento, the capital of the State of California; development of various tourist exchange, as Krasnoyarsk region is so vast that there are many possibilities for interesting adventure tours, cruises and, since it is on the Trans-Siberian route to have a stop over for touring of historical places, museums, and other noteworthy landmarks.
     Having just completed a Russian Children’s Art Competition that CRA sponsored as a national contest, discussions were also raised about projects including children and students, whereby US & Russian children can cooperate together in various projects.
N.Sabelnik was especially grateful to Inna Dozortseva, Head of the Department of External Affairs of the Krasnoyarsk city administration and Alexander Yuzhannikov, a prominent leader in the Krasnoyarsk community, professor at the Siberian Federal University, chair of the board of trustees at the Archbishop’s residency and the Church of St.John the Baptist. He is also an elected official of the city council, and has been instrumental in preserving the memory and history of Commodore Rezanov. Both arranged visits to various museums, including the Prelate Nikolay Steamship Museum, the monument to Nikolay Rezanov in the town square, as well as the monument cross at the Trinity cemetery, Museum of History of the Krasnoyarsk Railroad, Victory Memorial Museum and various art museums, which were at the time closed to the public and opened for a special viewing and docent tour by the directors of the museums. N.Sabelnik also spoke at the Siberian Federal University to the graduating class on law and international relations and the English Club to their members, interested, not only on learning the English language, but all the nuances of life in the US.
     A most interesting stop and close to heart was the visit to the St.John the Baptist church at the liturgy on the Feast Day of St.Nicholas (May 22), where she was able to meet with the priest, Father Nicholas and take part in his namesday celebration, as well as meet Archbishop Panteleimon, who himself had just returned from a trip around the Krasnoyarsk region. An interesting piece of history of this church was that it was founded and built in 1866, but in 1920, it was taken over by the Bolsheviks and under the Soviet regime turned into a hospital. One of the doctors during this period was recently canonized a saint, healer of the ill, St.Luke, and the building began restoration to a church again in 1999, and was recently opened again for services.
     Mayor Sergey Eryomin thanked Natalie Sabelnik for the visit and all discussed initiatives: “We are ready to support the ideas, to participate, help with the organization of cultural exchange.”. The city of Krasnoyarsk and Congress of Russian Americans have shared common goals, projects and work for nearly 10 years, but N.Sabelnik’s history goes back further, as many of her relatives live in Krasnoyarsk after returning from China, where they ended up after the revolution, when N.Sabelnik’s family found refuge in Tubabao and were divided once again. SAM_6218

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