FSU Jewish School Directors Convene in S. Petersburg
	S. PETERSBURG, Russia – Russia's northern capital has just wrapped up a major conference for directors from Jewish schools across the Former Soviet Union. In attendance were 45 school leaders from five different countries – Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Latvia and Kazakhstan. The event was hosted by the 'Beit Menachem' Day School, which is considered to be one of the most modern and progressive Jewish schools in the entire CIS.  During their intense three-day program, participants engaged in lectures and round-table discussions as well as role-playing scenarios that allowed them to advance their methodological and practical skills as teachers and directors.
One of the themes emphasized was working with the Internet for educational purposes, as well as safeguarding computer-usage so that students make proper use of the Internet. "We are trying to look at issues involving information technologies from a wide perspective. We have invited leading specialists in the field of education to be with us here today," commented Marina Belitskaya, who coordinated this event. "We are thankful to the Ohr Avner Foundation for sponsoring this conference, which will surely benefit the institutions represented here today". Upon completion of the seminar, the Great Choral Synagogue hosted a banquet, which was also attended by Chief Rabbi of S. Petersburg Menachem Mendel Pewzner and community Chairman Mark Grubarg. The Conference was underwritten by Lev Leveiev the President of the Or Avner Foundation that supports over 100 educational institutions and 14,000 students in the Or Avner School network.