FORA Bi-Monthly Call Recap
FORA Community Updates
September 2026 Bi-Monthly Meeting Highlights
Welcome New Members & Contributors
We're excited to welcome Michelle-Shari Kruss, an attorney from Portland, Oregon, who has been actively supporting the Romanian community in the Pacific Northwest. Michelle-Shari recently served as an evaluator for the Romanian Heritage Awards, and brings valuable insights from her work with the Oregon Counselor Corps. She is currently pursuing Romanian citizenship by descent and has been volunteering as one of the Evaluators for the 10th edition of the Romanian Heritage Awards.
Romanian Heritage Awards Program Updates
The Romanian Heritage Awards program continues to grow in its 10th year. Based on feedback from this year's evaluation process, we're implementing several improvements for next year:
Expanded Outreach: We'll be reaching out to high school counselors and college admission coaches to promote scholarships more effectively
Standardized Evaluation: Introduction of clearer guidelines and calibration sessions for all evaluators to ensure fair and consistent scoring
Broader Geographic Reach: Continued efforts to achieve representation from all 50 states
The upcoming Romanian Heritage Awards Ceremony will take place on September 26 in Washington D.C., featuring a youth conference portion followed by a reception and awards ceremony.
Community Events & Festivals
Romanian Festivals Across America
Romanian cultural festivals continue to thrive nationwide, serving as vital connections to heritage for second-generation Romanian Americans. Andreea Rebaltescu-Coca, cultural ambassador and entertainer, highlighted the importance of these events in preserving Romanian traditions through folk music, costumes, and community gatherings.
Upcoming festivals include the Romanian Folk Festival on the Meadow in New Jersey this Saturday - details below:
📅 Saturday, September 26, 2026
⏰ 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 132 Califon Rd, Long Valley, NJ
Other events are planned in Colorado, Norfolk, Virginia, and other locations across the country. FORA will be promoting these events on our social media channels—members are encouraged to share materials about their local festivals.
New York Metro Area Updates
Simona Vasile shared news from the New York area, which continues to unite various Romanian communities, including RomamPro, New York Romanian Group, the Long Island community, New Jersey organizations, and Connecticut groups.
Romanian President Nicusor Dan, the First Lady, and other dignitaries were recently hosted at the New York Consulate. The event included a ceremony renaming the corner of 38th Street and 3rd Avenue after Queen Mary of Romania—a significant milestone for Romanian heritage recognition in New York City.
ROCO Chicago Fall Activities
The Romanian Community Center (ROCO) in Chicago has launched its fall programming:
Children's Programs: Romanian language classes and storytelling programs have resumed
October: Community pickleball and paddle event, introducing new wellness activities to the community
November 1: Annual ROCO Health event for breast cancer awareness
November 3: Hosting the Chicago Cultural Alliance Leadership Council meeting with representatives from over 50 cultural organizations and museums
ROCO's President, Oana Dobreanu Urzica, recently co-hosted a successful panel on immigration with Dana Bucin during the Romanian Summit in Chicago.
Member Recognition
Ionel Dragos Hau and his wife received the "Stewards of Our Roots" award from the Romanian Summit, recognizing their work directing students to Romanian language teachers and helping young adults prepare for citizenship language tests. Their dedication to educational support and cultural preservation exemplifies the spirit of our community.
The couple also highlighted the inspiring work being done in Romania, where a private school for underserved children has been built entirely through donations—a testament to the power of community support.
Upcoming Event: Brancusi Celebration
Mark your calendars for November 13, 2026! Ce Fain! will host an event at Alliance Française in Washington D.C. celebrating Constantin Brancusi, in collaboration with the Romanian Cultural Institute in New York. More details will be announced soon.
FORA Organizational Updates
Member Spotlight Initiative
FORA is exploring a monthly member spotlight program to showcase the diverse activities and events organized by our member organizations across the country. This initiative will help connect communities and share best practices.
Upcoming Elections
FORA elections are on the horizon. All members will receive detailed information in the coming weeks about the nomination and voting process. We encourage active participation in shaping the future of our organization.
Resources for Citizenship by Descent
For members pursuing Romanian citizenship by descent, Romanul Online (https://romanulonline.org) offers Romanian language classes and resources. These classes are particularly helpful for young adults preparing for citizenship language tests.
Get Involved
FORA thrives because of volunteer contributions from our members. Whether you're organizing cultural events, supporting educational programs, or connecting Romanian Americans in your region, we want to hear from you and help amplify your work.
To share your organization's news, upcoming events, or volunteer opportunities, please email us at fora.federation@gmail.com.
Next FORA Bi-Monthly Meeting: November 2026
Stay connected with us on social media for the latest updates on Romanian community events nationwide.
1717 N STREET NW, SUITE 1, Washington DC 20036
Website: https://www.fora-usa.org
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