The Genesis Philanthropy group is giving the Jewish Agency $6 million for educational projects in the former Soviet Union.

Genesis, composed of several oligarchs from the former Soviet Union who are committed to building the Russian-speaking Jewish diaspora, will provide the funding over the next three to four years to help day schools, summer camps and other formal Jewish education projects, according to a spokesman for the Jewish Agency.

The agreement was reached in Moscow last week, where the agency’s new chairman, Natan Sharansky, was visiting schools at the start of the school year.

The Jewish Agency is touting the gift as Sharansky’s first major victory since taking over the organization’s professional helm this summer. — jta