LIMMUD FSU CANADA GATHERED 500 RUSSIAN-SPEAKING JEWS IN TORONTO

The 3-day event featured an array of world-class programs and speakers

November 11, 2018

‍550 people gathered this weekend for Limmud FSU Canada, the biggest event geared towards the Russian-speaking community in the country. It took place at the Blue Mountain Resort, an alpine ski resort just northwest of Toronto, and featured an array of world-class programs and speakers from around the world.

Limmud FSU Canada, a dynamic and pluralistic Jewish festival of culture, creativity and learning featured inspiring speakers and different panels, workshops and discussions on subjects ranging from art, to Jewish culture and tradition, history, politics, academics, business and lifestyles. Currently, there are about 550,000 Jews living in Canada among which 137,000 are Russian-speaking.

"UJA Federation is so proud to be a partner in what has become one of the most successful Limmud events anywhere in the world”, said Adam Minsky

Among the featured presenters at the event: President and CEO of UJA Federation of Greater Toronto Adam Minsky, entrepreneur and Limmud FSU’s Chairman of the Steering Committee Matthew Bronfman, Consul General of Israel to Toronto and Western Canada Galit Baram, Limmud FSU Canada Honorary Chair and the main sponsor Harry Rosenbaum,  IDF Commando Officer and team member of Operation Entebbe Rami Sherman, Chief Executive of Limmud organization (UK) Eli Ovits, Hebron Community Spokesperson Yishai Fleisher, writer and blogger Rachel Danziger - Sharansky, Raphael Hofstein, Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch, Irvin Studin, Melissa Lantsman and many more.

“This annual Limmud FSU Canada has been an amazing experience,” said Matthew Bronfman, “The team have done a great job, and you could really see that the participants were getting a lot from the sessions, which were packed and that’s what we’re here for, this wonderful combination of socialization and learning.”

“We’re always excited for our events in Canada, where the Russian-Jewish community is experiencing a remarkable renaissance”, said Chaim Chesler, Limmud FSU founder, “We are proud of this inspiring gathering that will contribute to the tremendous vitality of Russian-Jewish life in Canada”. Limmud FSU Co-Founder Sandra Cahn added: “Our team of Canadian volunteers has consistently grown the gathering year after year, we are so proud that Limmud FSU is now a permanent fixture on the Canadian-Jewish landscape.”

“Limmud FSU is a prime facilitator of rebuilding the world of Jewish involvement in your own community”, said Harry Rosenbaum, “It is a source of the expression and strengthening the connection to Jewish people and Jewish tradition, it is a model for finding paths to the hearts and souls of the participants.”

“Limmud FSU Canada is a group of young, smart, energetic people, who love Israel,” said Galit Baram, “I believe the next generation should become more involved in the Jewish life here in Canada, so it was great to see many young people in the audience.”

"UJA Federation is so proud to be a partner in what has become one of the most successful Limmud events anywhere in the world”, said Adam Minsky, “Limmud FSU genuinely helps strengthen Jewish identity and ensures that our heritage and our values are passed down from generation to generation.”

Conference Chair Eitan Dudnick: “Our committee, with the help of the global Limmud FSU organization, was able to create an amazing program, and we are fortunate to have many renowned local and international speakers. Moreover, this year we’ve worked harder on creating more value for Young Professionals and increased the number of interactive activities and workshops.”

“Limmud FSU Canada is a group of young, smart, energetic people, who love Israel,” said Galit Baram

The festival enjoyed the generous support of Genesis Philanthropy Group (GPG), UJA - Federation of Greater Toronto, Claims Conference, UJE, BMO Wealth Management, Great Gulf Charitable Foundation –Harry and Malka Rosenbaum, The Binah Charitable Foundation – Julia and Henry Koschitzky, Nathan and Lily Silver Charitable Foundation - Shoel Silver, Miriam and Larry Robbins Foundation and others.

Limmud FSU Canada was made possible thanks to the team of local leaders and volunteers, led by Country Director Mila Voihanski and Limmud FSU executive director Roman Kogan, together with Conference Chair Eitan Dudnick, Chair of Program committee Alexander Kutman, Chair of Fundraising committee Alex Plotkin, Chair of Marketing committee Ella Petrenko, Co-chairs of Logistics committee Ilia Dobkin and Irina Levit, Chair of Finance Julia Raudanskis and many more.

‍