Mindy Wajcman and I became the co-chairs of KI's Resettlement Committee in 1989. The first family we helped was the Rozenthals. I can remember making Chanukah cookies with the young children in the family. They are now college graduates. I think the oldest one is a doctor! The younger one was a top ranked debate student in high school and probably on his way to becoming a lawyer.
Another favorite memory was during Sukkot. CAJE organized a Sukkah hop, and stopped at my house. One year, as an older man shook the lulav, he teared up and said that he hadn't shaken a lulav for over 50 years!
CAJE was able to fund acculturation programs until 2004. By then, many of the emigres were immersed. I truly believe that KC facilitated one of the most comprehensive and successful resettlement and acculturation programs in the country. Most emigres now consider themselves Jewish Americans, a far cry from their fear of Judaism when they first arrived!
I am still in touch with many emigres, and have attended Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, weddings, and sadly, funerals.
As I'm sure you can tell by now, this "project" was truly meaningful to me. When I signed my first petition in the 1980's to "let my people go," and now, every day when I see a friend from the FSU who chases ME down for a hug and kiss, I was and am proud to be Jewish.
... Cindy Singer
