Bar-Ilan University hosted a roundtable discussion titled “Strategy for Realizing and Developing the Potential of Russian-Speaking Repatriation of the Last Decade.” The event, held on November 5, was organized by Bar-Ilan University, the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC), and the NGO Institute for Strategic Leadership.
The roundtable was initiated by Professor Evgeny Smirnov, Head of the Department for the Study of New Russian-Speaking Jewish Repatriation and Director of the Institute for Strategic Leadership. Professor Smirnov outlined three main areas of cooperation between the Institute, the Congress, and the University: identifying and promoting leadership projects and programs; developing strategies for the growth of organizations, business structures, and municipalities — including the successful integration of repatriates; and supporting initiatives and projects related to civil dialogue, public diplomacy, and the advancement of Israel’s interests.
In his opening remarks, Bar-Ilan University Vice President Roni Vinnikov emphasized the importance of the topic, noting that assistance and support for repatriates have been one of the university’s three core missions since its founding. He also expressed the university’s readiness and interest in launching joint educational programs with the EAJC and the Institute for Strategic Leadership — in particular, a master’s program in public policy for leaders of Jewish organizations.
EAJC Director General Dr. Haim Ben Yaakov, in his address, outlined strategic approaches to enhancing the utilization of the academic and professional potential of repatriate scholars for the benefit of Israel. He highlighted examples of repatriate scientists whose invaluable contributions have played a key role in the development of the State of Israel.
The discussion framework was proposed by Professor Zeev Khanin, Professor of Sociology at Bar-Ilan University and Academic Director of the Institute for Euro-Asian Jewish Studies (IEAJS).
The keynote presentation was delivered by Dr. Mikhail Men, Academic Curator of the Department for the Study of New Russian-Speaking Jewish Repatriation and Migration at IEAJS. Dr. Men shared preliminary findings from the latest EAJC-initiated study on Russian-speaking repatriation.
A separate focus of the discussion was the study’s findings on the high level of integration of new repatriates into Israeli society, their acceptance of Jewish national and cultural values, their commitment to social cohesion, and their willingness to contribute to improving the work of public institutions — particularly the efficiency of services assisting new immigrants.
Alex Zernopolsky, Head of the Committees on Repatriation and Immigration of the Israel Bar Association, addressed the legal aspects of working with repatriate scholars, emphasizing the critical role of intellectual repatriation in strengthening Israel’s leadership in the socio-economic sphere.
Additionally, Natalia Tsesarskaya, Head of the Department for Aliyah and Integration of the Be’er Sheva Municipality and Chair of the Israel Association of Heads of Municipal Departments for Aliyah and Integration, presented innovative administrative solutions in this field and outlined plans for future cooperation with the EAJC.
