To many Russians, Israel is a Holy Land where every stone is a biblical monument, Sholem Aleichem was the last Jewish writer of any importance and the phrase "modern Jewish culture" sounds like an oxymoron. This is precisely the attitude that Linor Goralik and Yury Sorochkin, the organizers of the Eshkol project, are trying to change.

In fact, contemporary Israeli culture boasts imaginative and profound writers, ultramodern rock groups with their own unique philosophy, nonconformist fashion designers, and artists coveted by galleries in New York and Paris. Now, thanks to both state and private support from both Israel and Russia, this wide variety of Israeli cultural life has become available in Moscow.

The two organizers of Eshkol are authors, translators and journalists who have done their part to make Israeli culture accessible to Russians. Goralik, an Israeli citizen, recently translated into Russian a collection of short stories by Etgar Keret, one of Israel's most popular younger authors. The book was published by Eksmo, Russia's largest publishing house, to unanimous critical acclaim.

Eshkol -- the word from which the Hebrew term for "grapefruit" is derived, hence the organization's grapefruit logo -- has organized various events of both a literary and non-literary nature. Recent happenings have included a presentation by Russian writers, who read their own short prose along with fragments from Israeli authors, combined with a contest of illustrations for Israeli short stories; a concert by the rock group Biluim; a literary evening titled "Israel and Jews in Modern Russian Literature"; a circus-themed matinee for children; and a workshop on modern kosher cuisine taught by the chef of Shafran, Moscow's popular Middle Eastern restaurant.

What lies ahead? Eshkol is planning a number of events for this week. To begin with, it is hosting another kids' matinee, scheduled for Sunday at noon in Bilingua, located at 10 Krivokolenny Pereulok. This time it will feature Yiddish songs performed by cult crooner Psoi Korolenko. On Wednesday at 4 p.m., a discussion group -- also at Bilingua -- will review the role of Kabbalah, the ancient Jewish mystic doctrine, in today's culture. Finally, the unorthodox Israeli fashion designers "Frau Blau" will present their collection with circus giants and bearded ladies on the catwalk. The fashion show takes place Thursday at 8 p.m. at Samolyot, located at 14/1 Presnensky Val.

Those who still think of Israel in biblical terms might be in for a small surprise.