Organizers initially expected 300 people to attend California’s first Limmud FSU. Instead, more than 700 people showed up ready to learn, ready to party. How very Russian.
Held two weeks ago in Pasadena, the three-day event was the West Coast’s first Limmud geared toward Jewish immigrants from the former Soviet Union, along with their families. Attendees heard from a lineup of speakers that included Jewish Agency for Israel head Natan Sharansky, hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons and actor Jon Voight.
Sessions covered everything from Israeli politics to Russian literature to kosher sex.
Launched in the United Kingdom 35 years ago, Limmud (Hebrew for “learning”) brings Jews together for grassroots Jewish learning. The concept made it to Russia 10 years ago, and since then more than 30,000 Russian-speaking Jews have attended Limmud FSU events in the former Soviet Union, Israel, Canada and the eastern United States.
Now it was California’s turn.
And even though Limmud FSU West Coast was held in Southern California, the northern part of the state — home to thousands of Jews born in the former Soviet Union — was well represented. A 100-strong contingent filled two charter buses that made the trip.
Leo Hmelnitsky, a Moscow-born Walnut Creek resident, co-organized and co-chaired the Bay Area’s participation. He called the weekend “an incredible event.”
“What made it successful,” he said, “was an open, non-judgmental and welcoming atmosphere, sprinkled with spirituality and traditional rituals of musical Kabbalat Shabbat, communal meals, Havdallah blessings, dancing under the open sky and a diverse program where everyone could find something that spoke to their heart and mind.”
Hmelnitsky, 43, said attendees rushed between conference rooms to catch guest speakers such as Sharansky, Russian satirist Victor Shenderovich, former Israel Defense Forces general Uzi Dayan, Israeli film star Tamara Klingon and Gidi Grinstein, president of the Reut Institute, a nonpartisan policy and strategy group in Tel Aviv.
He also credited sponsors such as the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation and Jewish Family and Children’s Services for providing financial aid that allowed more families and young adults to attend.
Eugene Fooksman, who immigrated to the United States from his native Saint Petersburg in 1999, today works as a software engineer at Facebook. He attended Limmud FSU West Coast and delivered a lecture, talking about his job at the world’s top social media company (which turned 12 last week).
“The turnout at my event was really good,” he said. “I didn’t expect that many people. It was a good mix, half Russian-speaking, half English-speaking. I started the session in Russian and five minutes in someone said to me, ‘You’d better speak English.’ ”
Fooksman, 39, formerly had been active with Mishmash, a Bay Area young adult organization made up of FSU émigrés. That was where he developed a knack for activism, especially around issues related to the Russian émigré community.
He says events such as Limmud FSU West Coast will have a positive impact on that community
“I think it was really important,” he said. “Big events like that create a buzz and get people to come. The impact of this one can be much higher. You can involve people who would stay away from Jewish activity otherwise.”
Masha Merkulova, founder of the South Bay pro-Israel youth organization Club Z, also attended the event, making a presentation about her work fostering Zionist pride in Jewish teens.
She echoed Fooksman’s sentiments, saying this particular Limmud event meant a lot to her and her peers. Assimilated into American life though they may be, communing with others who experienced immigration is beneficial.
“It’s not to say we don’t appreciate the American Jewish community,” Merkulova said. “We definitely do. But it’s easier to share new experiences with someone who has a similar background. For many Russian Jews, religious things can be off-putting. Instead of trying to put a square peg in a round hole, why not just do a Russian Jewish Limmud and see how it goes? Then people will be more likely to join a regular Limmud. It’s a great idea.”
Fooksman noted that many in the émigré community eschew religious life, but have found other forms of Jewish connection. One of them — Israel advocacy — was a much-discussed topic at this Limmud.
“To get secular kids involved is a lot of work,” Fooksman said. “Being pro-Israel is not popular. It can get you punched in the face. To choose that path you need strong motivation.”
However they express their Jewish identities, Russian émigrés are fixtures in the Bay Area Jewish community and beyond, according to Fooksman.
“This generation of Russians is a powerhouse now,” he said. “Many came 20 to 30 years ago, poor and helpless, and now they are standing on their feet, living good lives. It’s important for the Jewish community to involve them.”