Vaad l'Hatzolas Nidchei Yisroel (VAAD) was founded in the early eighties for the purpose of restoring traditional Jewish life and culture in the countries formerly part of the Soviet Union. Originally, the Vaad conducted clandestine missions all over the communist empire, which brought about the refusnik movement. Today, the Vaad is committed to the establishment of an infrastructure in the Jewish communities of these lands, to revive Jewish life by operating schools, from kindergartens to advanced learning and kollels, synagogues services, mikvaot, kosher food, orphan homes, social and cultural centers, senior citizen centers, recreational centers, summer camps, Judaica stores, Jewish books, Torahs, Brit Milah, Shechitah, marriage counselors, and funeral services.