Six individuals have been awarded 2016 Tikkun Fellowships by the Jewish United Fund’s Russian Jewish Division to help develop and support the fine arts and culture, further health and wellness, enhance Jewish education, all with Jewish flair.

Funded by the Genesis Philanthropy Group, Tikkun Fellowships help develop and support projects created by Russian-speaking Jewish individuals ages 22 to 40. Selected individuals receive a grant of up to $3,000 to develop projects that engage the community in a meaningful and significant way. Using their fellowships:

Franklin Drob , Highland Park, will provide chair yoga, relaxation response and well-being training to Russian-speaking seniors, and professionally produce a series of related web video tutorials in Russian. A Chicago native, Drob learned to speak Russian fluently from his grandmother. His relationship with her fuels his desire “to give back and improve the health and well-being of the Russian Jewish elderly community who gave us so much and were not privileged to always have the mind, body, health and wellness resources of today,” he said.

Jane Faynshteyn , Highland Park, will conduct a research study to learn the specific interests and attitudes held by Russian Jewish parents regarding educational and social opportunities for their young families. “If the data shows that there is enough interest in a Russian, Jewish preschool, I would like to further discuss this possibility with community leaders and (how to) make this a reality,” she said. Faynshteyn was born in Minsk, Belarus, and immigrated to Chicago in 1989 when she was 5 years old.

Irina Talia Geister , Northbrook, will establish a Mother-Daughter Jewish Club, in which mothers and daughters will participate in Jewish-themed creative activities and discussions. Born in Minsk, Belarus, Geister immigrated to the United States with her family at age 15. “My first introduction to Judaism was in a small synagogue in Minsk where several Jewish organizations and agencies were allowed to come after the collapse of the Soviet Union,” she said. “As I learned, I wanted to share the beauty of Judaism with others.”

Esther Gross , Rolling Meadows, will offer a series of Jewish-Israeli cooking classes for recently engaged or married couples. “This project will bring community members into the kitchen-and everyone speaks the same language in the kitchen,” she said. “Participants will be introduced to Jewish customs, Israeli culture, and great cooking techniques with inspirational chefs.” Challah-making, Passover, Israeli foods, and Shabbat dinner are among the class themes.

Talia Prilutsky , Wheeling, will produce a series of art classes for children, teens and adults culminating in “The Art of Jewish Heart,” a showing of students’ works to raise interest in Jewish culture and heritage. “By the end of this project, students will have the option of donating some of their artwork to Jewish facilities,” she said. “I would like to engage as many people as I can.” Prilutsky owns Art Studio ARTISHOCK in Wheeling, providing fine art classes for students ages 4 through adults.

Marina Taleysnik , Chicago, will offer Jewish-themed theater classes for children at The Bravo Theater. “This will allow children to playfully explore the history of the Jewish people,” she said. “Children will learn traditional dances and be introduced to Jewish music.” Taleysnik was born and raised in Kiev, Ukraine, and studied religion and culture in Israel before immigrating to the United States. She established The Bravo Theater in 2008 with the goal of preserving Russian language and culture.

For information, visit http://www.juf.org/rjd/ , or call 312-673-2351.