Jewish Russian community active

March 12, 2015 by Ginette Searle
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The Zionist Federation of Australia has launched its Russian Speaking Jewish Community project in NSW…and the first Russian Limmud has taken place in Victoria.

Natalie, Roman, Roman and Sasha

Natalie, Roman, Roman and Sasha

The RSJC project aims to strengthen connections between the members of the Russian speaking community, the general Jewish community and Israel.

Via a range of initiatives, including leadership development programs for young adults, cultural, educational and informational events the ZFA will work with together the RSJC to achieve these aims.

This past weekend  the Australian Jewish community was treated to Russian Jewish culture at its best with the arrival of Limmud FSU and its many guest presenters.

The cultural festival kicked off in Sydney with a wonderful performance by acclaimed jazz musician Leonid Ptashka, followed by a Shabbat dinner for over 140 people organised by the ZFA’s Russian Jewish community coordinator in Sydney, Anna Maylis and her team.

The phenomenal success of this first large-scale event which brought together Russian speakers from across the Jewish community in such an enjoyable and uplifting format augurs well for the project in the future.

ZFA Past President Dr Ron Weiser remarked: “We were delighted to host the initial opening function of Limmud FSU in Sydney and to see some 150 Russian speaking Jews come together to share in enjoying Russian style culture and entertainment followed by a traditional Shabbat dinner. To see such an amalgam of ages – young and not so young – attracted to this landmark event with the generous sponsorship of the Harry Triguboff Institute, made all of the lead up and planning worthwhile. We now need to build on this success into the future.”

Ptashka and Anna

Ptashka and Anna

Dinner guest Lana Sagi was effusive in her enthusiasm about the event: “… such a wonderful evening. It was just amazing what you did and how it was all executed. I came with my mother and my daughter (3 generations) and you pleased us all. The evening was simply FANTASTIC.”

The inaugural Limmud FSU took place in Lorne, Victoria on Sunday – Monday 8 – 9 March and attracted over 250 people, again from across the generations, with programs for children enabling families of 3 generations to enjoy. With exceptional presentations including music, innovation, Israeli politics, Jewish learning, comedy and lifestyle, in both English and Russian, and a warm, vibrant and friendly atmosphere, the festival was a tremendous success.

Limmud FSU was supported by over 30 volunteers, the majority of whom have been involved in the ZFA’s Kangarusski project, undertaking the leadership program which was presented by the ZFA/ JAFI shlicha, Sasha Klyachkina.

ZFA President, Dr Danny Lamm said: “We see Limmud FSU as an important stage in the development of strong leadership in the Russian Speaking Jewish community. I am intensely proud of the contribution that our Kangarusskis have made to this festival and look forward to continued activity and engagement across Australia.”

It is anticipated that Limmud FSU 2016 will take place in Sydney.

The initiatives are a result of Jewish Agency’s chief Natan Sharansky plans to reach out to the Russian speaking diaspora around the world,

Comments

One Response to “Jewish Russian community active”
  1. Valdimir Tsivlin says:

    Nice site, looking forward to receive it into may inbox.
    Thank you,

    Vladimir

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