Over 700 Russian-speaking Israelis Gather for the Limmud FSU Festival in Ashdod

The international organization Limmud FSU celebrated its bat mitzvah – marking 12 years of educational initiatives in Israel – with a three-day festival in Ashdod. More than 700 young Russian-speaking Israelis attended the educational, cultural, and recreational conference.

The comprehensive festival program featured over 150 lectures, workshops, round tables, master classes, and artistic performances, presented by approximately 100 volunteer speakers.

Dr. Chaim Ben Yakov, Director General of the EAJC, together with Prof. Dina Porat, Chief Historian of Yad Vashem, former Supreme Court Deputy Chief Justice Elyakim Rubinstein, Ambassadors Efraim Halevy and Uri Palti, and Dr. Yoel Rappel, participated in a panel discussion addressing the new wave of antisemitism and the global rise of the far-right.

In his remarks, Dr. Chaim Ben Yakov emphasized: “For the first time, the new 'Nation-State Law' explicitly declares the State of Israel’s commitment to the destiny of the entire Jewish people, the principle of Jewish unity, and the significance of the connection between Jews in Israel and the Diaspora. This specific aspect of the law is vital and deserves strong support. Israel must assume greater spiritual and political responsibility for Jewish communities worldwide.”

Key highlights of the festival included the opening of an exhibition honoring Justice Elyakim Rubinstein, curated by Prof. Aviad Hacohen, Dean of the Sha'arei Mishpat Academic College of Law. A monument dedicated to Russian cosmonaut Alexei Leonov, the first human to conduct a spacewalk, was also unveiled during the event. The dedication ceremony featured a speech by American astronaut Garrett Reisman, who, alongside Leonov, was a guest of honor at Limmud FSU 2011 in Beer Sheva.

“Now more than ever, we require unity, and the long-standing work of Limmud is directly aimed at bringing people together. The Jewish Diaspora needs Limmud, yet unfortunately, we are currently losing part of our human resource and the support of global Jewry. It is therefore crucial that each of us does everything possible to stand together, participate in these festivals, deepen and strengthen our Jewish identity, and remain active in the life of the Jewish nation,” stated Aaron G. Frenkel, President of Limmud FSU and Chairman of the EAJC Board of Directors.

“In consistently supporting the Limmud FSU conference, we at the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress remain convinced of the necessity to further develop this important project, which is built on a fresh, contemporary approach to traditional Jewish values,” said EAJC President Dr. Michael Mirilashvili.