Activities

The American Multinational Jewish Federation (AMJF) collaborates closely with local partners in Ukraine and Moldova to assess and address the needs of displaced individuals, vulnerable communities, and others affected by war or natural disasters. Through a robust network of academic institutions, NGOs, religious organizations, and business leaders, AMJF develops targeted programs to support people impacted by both manmade and natural crises.

AMJF also leverages its extensive contacts in the United States to inform program development and secure essential supplies for shipment to Moldova and Ukraine. Thanks to the generosity of the international freight service Meest-America Inc., AMJF has established a continuous stream of humanitarian supplies – shipped at special humanitarian aid rates – to its academic and NGO partners on the ground, enabling effective distribution to those in need.

Below are examples of AMJF’s ongoing activities and programs:

Consortium of Ukrainian and Moldovan Academic Institutions (CUMAI)

AMJF facilitated the creation of the Consortium of Ukrainian and Moldovan Academic Institutions (CUMAI), partnering eight leading Ukrainian universities, one Moldovan university, and San Diego State University (SDSU). CUMAI offers a timely platform to address challenges from the conflict in Ukraine and contribute to recovery in the region. This consortium promotes partnerships in academics, mental health, business, and cultural exchange, fostering collaboration among the United States, Ukraine, and Moldova, while also providing an effective platform for humanitarian aid distribution.

San Diego State University (SDSU), USA
Kherson National Technical University, Ukraine
Khmelnytskyi National University, Ukraine
«KROK» University, Ukraine
Lviv Polytechnic National University, Ukraine
Odesa National Economic University, Ukraine
Oles Honchar Dnipro National University, Ukraine
State University of Trade and Economics (Kyiv), Ukraine
V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Ukraine
Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova (ASEM), Moldova

CUMAI’s goals include:

Support academic reform, transitioning to a US-style system and fostering public/private partnerships.
Launching joint academic programs, student exchanges, dual degrees, and collaborative research.
Promoting best practices through curriculum, faculty, and teaching exchanges.
Designing mental health and physical rehabilitation programs for veterans, students, and faculty.
Encouraging entrepreneurship and business cooperation.
Advancing cultural and language exchanges.
Collaborating on technology, cybersecurity, and sustainable energy research.
Developing programs in viticulture, winemaking, and hospitality management to support economic recovery.
Exploring further joint initiatives as needs evolve.

Benefits

For Ukrainian and Moldovan universities: Access to new expertise, international networks, joint research, and enhanced recognition.
For SDSU: Expanded global engagement, a more diverse curriculum, and new research partnerships.
For students: Greater educational and career opportunities.
For communities: Deeper cultural understanding and stronger U.S.-Ukraine-Moldova cooperation.

Conclusion

The consortium offers a unique platform for multi-faceted collaboration, supporting reconstruction, education, and long-term partnerships between the United States, Ukraine, and Moldova.

Governance, Compliance, and Risk Management Courses – Fulbright Scholar

Beginning in Fall 2023, at the invitation of the Rector of Odesa National Economic University (ONEU), Dr. Marc Siegel, founder and CEO of AMJF, adapted his MBA course in Governance, Compliance, and Risk Management to address the specific needs of Ukrainian and Moldovan universities. The course was delivered both in-person and via Zoom broadcast to students at universities across Ukraine and Moldova.

In the 2024/2025 academic year, Dr. Siegel served as a Fulbright Scholar, teaching the course from the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova while maintaining virtual connections with partner universities. For the 2025/2026 academic year, he will teach from the ONEU campus, continuing to reach a broad network of students through live broadcasts.

The curriculum explores the latest best practices in governance, compliance, and risk management, tailored for both business and nonprofit contexts. By emphasizing alignment with Western European and U.S. standards, the course prepares students for integration with international business practices. It provides a comprehensive foundation in organizational and operational risk management, underscoring the importance of resilience in today’s dynamic environment. As a capstone, student teams present final projects on risk management topics of their choosing.

Governance, Compliance Management, Resilience and Risk Management Workshops

The AMF sponsors and delivers both in-person and online workshops on governance, compliance management, resilience, and risk management at academic institutions and business associations in Ukraine and Moldova, including Transnistria. These workshops blend theory with practical application, covering good governance, the design and implementation of compliance systems, building organizational resilience, and managing risk across operations and supply chains.

The workshops are designed to equip students and business professionals with the essential skills to improve transparency, strengthen resilience, and adopt effective business management practices. By preparing participants for integration with Western European and U.S. business standards, this initiative demonstrates AMF’s commitment to advancing a global perspective and promoting best practices in business education.

Preparing Universities for Reconstruction

The American Multinational Jewish Federation delivers workshops on good governance, compliance management, risk management, resilience and continuity, management system implementation, and business management skills at Ukrainian universities and business associations.

These courses are held both in-person and online at institutions across Ukraine such as Odesa National Economic University, Kherson National Technical University, Khmelnytskyi National University, MIM-Kyiv Business School, and Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design. The workshops and courses provide students and professionals with essential knowledge and practical tools to enhance transparency, resilience, and effective management.

The primary aim is to empower participants to elevate business practices to Western European and U.S. standards. By promoting transparency and best practices, these workshops support post-war reconstruction and encourage a global perspective in business education throughout Ukraine.

Pickleball for Socialization, Mental Healthcare, and Physical Rehabilitation

In April 2023, the American Multinational Jewish Federation (AMJF) introduced pickleball as part of socialization programs for refugee teenagers in Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania. AMJF supplied pickleball equipment to CUMAI member universities and to physical education departments at the major universities in Chisinau. Consequently, both the Ukrainian and Moldovan Pickleball Federations have now been established and pickleball is being introduced into physical education programs.

AMJF is currently collaborating with CUMAI, the Ukrainian Pickleball Federation, and veterans’ groups to expand pickleball programs across Ukraine, with a focus on supporting mental health, physical therapy, and rehabilitation for veterans, students, and others affected by war. The goal is to develop a robust model that can be shared internationally.

This initiative integrates pickleball into university academic programs – including Physical Education, Physical Therapy, Mental Health, and Rehabilitation. Some universities in Ukraine and Moldova have adopted pickleball into their PE curriculums and regularly organize games for students.

AMJF and its partners are also introducing pickleball into both university and secondary school curricula, hosting regular student games, and offering free lessons to Scouts, summer camps, Chabad schools, and community groups – using equipment provided by AMJF.

Unfortunately, ongoing air raids have disrupted games and training sessions across Ukraine. However, the program continues to develop, and the popularity of the sport is growing.

Computer Labs Classrooms at Mishpacha Chabad Odesa School

The American Multinational Jewish Federation (AMJF), in partnership with the Romanian NGO Cardinal Points in Iasi, Romania, facilitated the creation of two state-of-the-art computer labs at the Ovadya House Mishpacha Chabad Chedar in downtown Odesa. Thanks to donations from Dell and FLAX Computers in Romania, the school's technological capabilities have been significantly enhanced.

The newly established Mlyniv/Mervits Computer Lab honors the heritage of the Jewish communities of Mlyniv and Mervits, Ukraine, and their descendants. Its ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by AMJF President Dr. Marc Siegel and Chief Rabbi of Odesa, Rabbi Avraham Wolff.

Dr. Siegel’s maternal grandparents originated from Mlyniv, Ukraine. The Jewish communities of Mlyniv and Mervits were decimated by their Christian neighbors during World War II, following decades of persecution under various Czarist Russian, Polish, and Soviet regimes.

Rebbe Aron Perlov (1802–1872), known as “Rabbi Aharon II of Karlin” or the “Tzadik of Karlin” and a major figure in the Karlin-Stolin Hasidic dynasty, is buried in the remains of the historic Jewish cemetery in Mlyniv, which is a significant pilgrimage site for Hasidim.