The Biggest Ever Limmud FSU in Israel Made the National Headlines

    TEL AVIV, ISRAEL, December 21, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- You could be forgiven for thinking you are spending time out at a pleasant resort on the Black Sea, surrounded by hundreds of young Russian-speaking people, many with their families. But no, you are actually at Kibbutz Ginosar on the banks of the Sea of Galilee. The occasion is the annual educational meet of Limmud FSU (former Soviet Union) Israel. Limmud FSU Kinneret is perhaps the largest gathering ever in the country of Russian-speaking Jews. More than 1,300 people - overwhelmingly in their 20s to 40s, have assembled for a three day fiesta of Jewish culture and identity. Limmud FSU festivals are held all over the world wherever there are substantial centers of Russian Jews - in Russia, Ukraine, Moldova,, Belarus and in the USA, Canada, Australia - and of course Israel with its over one million intake of Russian-speaking Jews..

Among the usual smorgasbord (maybe Zakuski would be a better word) of lectures, discussions, workshops, debates, cultural presentations and entertainment, this time Limmud has attracted some stellar guests which in itself is ample proof of the degree of importance to which politicians and others accord to the Russian immigrants - and possibly the potential Russian vote. One of the country's most prominent journalists, Yoav Krakovsky, head of Israel Radio's Second Channel, interviewed in quick succession, Avigdor Lieberman, head of the Israel Beitanu party, Isaac Herzog, Chairman of the Knesset opposition and the Zionist Union party, Minister of Transport Israel Katz, the up-and coming Zionist Union MK, Ksenia Svetlova - herself of Russian origin and Dani Atar, the recently elected head of the Jewish National Fund.
The event was preceded the day before in the Knesset when the Limmud FSU leadership, led by the philanthropists and entrepreneurs, Matthew Bronfman and Aaron Frenkel, together with founders Chaim Chesler and Sandra Cahn, met with Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu (who congratulated the organizers and said that Limmud FSU is "doing holy work" among new immigrants.) Minister of Education Naphtali Bennett and Minister of Immigrant Absorption, Zev Elkin.

During the packed weekend, other prominent speakers included former Israel ambassador to Washington, MK Michael Oren; head of Mifal Hapayis and former Deputy Chief of Staff of the IDF and head of the National Security Council, Uzi Dayan;, former military spokesman , Avi Benahayu; Rabbi David Stav, head of the Tsohar rabbinical group; Prof. David Bilchitz of the University of Johannesburg and current Chairman of Limmud International (of which Limmud FSU is a part); and popular media figures and entertainers, Gil Hovav, Leonid Ptashka, the virtuoso jazz musician together with Irena Rosenfeld, a new immigrant and star of the Ukrainian edition of "A Star is Born."

Founder Chaim Chesler said, "This is our biggest event yet in Israel and reflects the exponential growth in our activities. The Festival was over-subscribed eight hours after registration. This proves that our formula of education, culture, entertainment and the opportunity for dialogue and debate is just what our young participants need."

Sandra F. Cahn, co-founder of Limmud FSU: "Year by year Limmud FSU succeeds in igniting the spark of being Jewish. When I see the young Russian-speakers singing during the end of the Shabbat Havdala service, I know that we are doing our job"

Rina Zaslavsky, Chair of programming committee:"The great achievement of Limmud this year is not just the sheer numbers but as a whole inter-generational dialogue in which many of the participants arrived complete with their children and their own parents. That dialogue continued with the presentations and lectures. I see this as having real importance and as a remarkable phenomenon in itself."

Limmud FSU brings together and empowers young Jewish adults who are revitalizing Jewish communities and culture in the countries of the Former Soviet Union, as well as in countries with Russian speakers around the world.

Built on the experience of an international group of Jewish leadership, working in close partnership with Limmud FSU volunteer leaders, Limmud promises a rich educational experience - for the community, to the community and by the community.

Limmud FSU shares in the core goals of diversity, learning, community and volunteerism with the other Limmud conferences throughout the world.

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