INFORMATION ON PLACES TO DONATE (episode description below):
The Russian studies department raised almost $5,000 in the spring semester following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The money was sent to Razom for Ukraine, World Central Kitchen, and OVD Info.

Razom for Ukraine - Founded in response to the Maidan Revolution in 2014 by Ukrainians abroad, Razom for Ukraine is a non-profit organization that supports Ukraine's pursuit of democracy and human rights. The organization is currently focused on sending medicine, hospital supplies, communication equipment used in emergency response, and other urgent needs.

World Central Kitchen - World Central Kitchen provides meals during crises. The organization reports that 100 million meals and counting had been served in Ukraine.

OVD Info (website in Russian) - OVD-Info is a human rights project that monitors political persecution in Russia and provides legal assistance for protestors who support Ukrainian sovereignty. Their chronicle of protests in Russia over the invasion can be found in English here. 

If the embedded links don't work, the URLs are at the end of these show notes.

Relax and listen to this interview with alumnus Dave Benger, a heritage speaker. He spoke about his experience as a heritage speaker taking Russian classes at Brandeis and the impact that has had on his life and his relationship with his family. The interview was originally recorded on February 23rd.

Razom for Ukraine - https://www.razomforukraine.org/

World Central Kitchen - 

OVD Info (website in Russian) - https://ovdinfo.org/

Edited and produced by Addison Antonoff

Music - Russian Folk Song - Katyusha (High Quality) By Teh Kav

Relax and listen to this interview with alumnus Matthew Kupfer. He is currently the central Asia regional editor at The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project. Before his current position, he wrote for a number of publications including Kyiv Post and The Moscow Times. In this interview, he speaks with Addison about his career and how his experience at Brandeis shaped his relationship with the Russian language.

Edited and produced by Addison Antonoff

Music - Russian Folk Song - Katyusha (High Quality) By Teh Kav

Relax and listen to this interview with professor Gregory Freeze. He is the Raymond Ginger Chair in the history department. He teaches Russian history as well as several courses for international and global studies. In this interview, he speaks with Addison about life as a senior researcher and his views on Russian politics.

Edited and produced by Addison Antonoff

Music - Russian Folk Song - Katyusha (High Quality) By Teh Kav

Relax and listen to this episode with professor Robin Feuer Miller. She is the Chair of the Department of German, Russian and Asian Languages and Literature, and she is a professor of Russian and comparative literature at Brandeis. In this interview, she speaks with Addison about the relevance of Russian literature even decades after it has been written. 

Relax and listen to this interview with Jennifer Ginsburg. She studied abroad in Russia, worked with Peace Corps in Kosovo for two years, got her master's in Russian area studies at Columbia University, and she is currently working on the Eurasia team at the National Endowment for democracy. She talked with Addison all about her language learning journey, experience from studying and living abroad as well as using Russian for professional growth. 

Relax and listen to this episode with professor Wilson, an assistant professor of Politics. He specializes in the politics of Russia and the former Soviet World.

Students of Russian Studies at Brandeis University decided to bring their major (or minor) closer to the public through interviews with professors, alumni and current students who have any kind of connection to the Russophone world. So relax and listen to the first episode with professor Powelstock, the head of Russian Studies department at Brandeis University. What was his language-learning journey? Any memorable experience from his study abroad? Professor Powelstock answers these and many more questions in the podcast.