Brandeis has received a $10.8 million grant that will establish an institute and provide about 200 scholarships for Russian-speaking Jewish undergraduates, graduate students, Ph.D candidates and participants in the school's high school summer programs, according to a University press release March 25, 2009. The organization is called the Brandeis Genesis Institute for Russian-Speaking Jewry, and the grant came from the Genesis Philanthropy Group, according to the release. Vice President of the Office of Global Affairs Daniel Terris said that the exact procedures for granting scholarships had not yet been worked out, citing the fact that the grant was received a very short time ago.

According to the University's press release, "The Genesis grant will fund scholarships for between 36 and 60 undergraduates, 14 master's degree candidates, six Ph.D. candidates and 132 participants in Brandeis summer programs for high school youth over the next five years, starting in 2009."

Founded in 2007, the Genesis Philanthropy Group focuses on issues of Russian Jewry in the former Soviet Union, North America and Israel. The Group's website states: "The mission of Genesis Philanthropy Group is to develop and enhance Jewish identity among Russian-speaking Jews worldwide. . We are committed to supporting and launching projects, programming, and institutions that are focused on ensuring that Jewish culture, heritage, and values are preserved in Russian-speaking Jewish communities across the globe."

Terris said, "Students who accept [the scholarships] will participate in a series of extracurricular activities on Jewish education, Jewish culture, Jewish tradition." Those activities will include retreats, speakers and other experiences to engage students intellectually and physically in the Jewish community.

The BGI is described on the University Web site as focusing on "developing and sustaining the Jewish identity of Russian-speakers [that] is at the center of the BGI's mission."

However, Terris said that religious affliations were not required of scholarship recipients and that the University would not ask prospective students about the religious affiliations on applications.

"This is not a religious program. . I think that is cardinal," University President Jehuda Reinharz added.

Terris, who is also the director of the International Center for Ethics, Justice and Public Life, elaborated: "The Office of Global Affairs is really designed to help nurture major international initiatives, and the [initiatives associated with the Genesis grant are] . an opportunity to coordinate between internal communities, here at Brandeis and external communities, in the United States and in other countries."

Reinharz said that the focus of the Brandeis Genesis Institute for Russian Jewry would be on undergraduate students, and it would not be a requirement for graduate students or for high school students who take part in the Genesis program during the summer.

The Genesis and BIMA programs are Brandeis' two summer programs for high school students that provides high school students with a college-like atmosphere.

Reinharz said that he first met with the principals of the Genesis group approximately two years ago, and discussions surrounding the grant have been ongoing for almost a year.

While Reinharz referred to the elements the grant could bring to the University, he said: "My emphasis, and the emphasis of the development staff, in terms of fundraising, is on scholarships." Reinharz added that, "We don't raise any more money for buildings. ... My main concern is to make sure that student can continue to come to Brandeis regardless of their ability to pay."

The grant has a distinctly international aspect, as Terris said: "This grant represents confidence in us as an educational institution. . This helps put Brandeis in touch with communities in various parts of the world."

He added that "it goes alongside . our Brandeis-India initiative, our partnership with Palestinian communities and our work on projects in Africa."

Reinharz added that he believes Brandeis' involvement with Genesis also supports the University's pillar of Jewish sponsorship and continued the University's involvement with the Jewish community both on campus and around the world.

Julia Rabkin '11, publicity coordinator for the Brandeis Russian Club, said that members of the club were not aware of the circumstances surrounding the grant until last week.

Rabkin said that, personally, she is "really happy and excited, because in this uncertain economy, the more scholarships the better.