Limmud FSU brings together and empowers young Russian 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 and you can’t find a better place to gather with your friends for a Reunion. That is exactly what Ezra USA did. Ezra participants spent the day attending sessions with community leaders, scholars and entertainers, as well as socializing. The evening ended with a very public “Thank You” to the great Madrichim of the summer of 2010.

Ezra participants had an amazing opportunity to hear the history of investments, and to ask all kinds of questions. After the money management seminar Ezra participants had a chance to meet real Israeli men: soldiers, tough and aggressive, risk-taking, and courageous. “Yossi and Jagger” is a very different movie as it shows Israeli men is a little bit different light. After the movie there was a presentation on the image of the Israeli men in Israel and outside of it.

Ezra Boston, amongst other 14 organizations, was one of the co-sponsors of the event organized by AJC ACCESS Boston, saying thank you and farewell to Consul General and Deputy Consul General of Israel to New England Nadav Tamir and Rony Yedidia. About 140 young professionals from the Boston Jewish community, members of Boston's young diplomatic corps, and young professionals from several community partners have joined the event. Ezra was represented with dignity!

Only the most adventurous people joined us for our one-day trip to New York. They had a unique opportunity to learn about New York mysteries and secrets, meet historical figures and mingle with their peers from New York and Boston. Ezra Boston trip to the Big Apple started from the walking tour of the Lower East Side, introducing its streets and historical buildings. It poured into the Central park with picnic and boating, Israel Day parade, and ended with the magnificent lights of the Times Sq. It was an amazing day!

"Schwartz Dynasty"--Movie and Sushi

“Schwartz Dynasty” is a unique Israeli movie which is build on stereotypes of different groups in Israeli society, but also manages to depict very accurately various issues in each single group, while laughing at them hysterically. The Russian culture meets Israeli culture, and something very interesting comes out. For the participants it was very interesting to see who the Russian immigrants are absorbed into Israeli society.

Middle Eastern Shavuot and Hookah night                                                                                                                                 

 

Shavuot is a celebration of the giving of the Torah, the holiest of the Jewish books. This Shavuot in Ezra Boston was a mix of Middle Eastern spirit and various Jewish and secular texts. Only that night Ezra participants could sink into the magic of the enchanted texts, hear the dessert stories, and enjoy the real Bedouin hospitality over the Middle Eastern food, Bedouin Chai and Hookah.

An unbielivable «Taglit» event for participants from all over the world was held at Binyaney Hauma the main concert hall of the jewish capital. Every single time it surprises the audience with incredible atmosphere of Jewish unity and love to the State of Israel. 250 participants of Ezra Taglit from the US and FSU were honored to be part of anniversary show of «Taglit Mega Event». There they saw a speech of Israel minister of finance Yuval Shtainetz, philontropists and main «Taglit» sponsors and donors and heard songs about Israel by special «Taglit» band. Famous israeli singer Haarel Skaat surprised the audience with singing «Atikva», Israel national anthem. The 10th Anniversary of «Taglit» was celebrated with a cake and fireshow at the end of the evening!

On May 8th, 2010 in hotel Shalom in Jerusalem took place a "Mega Event". At this event, five Ezra Taglit groups from the USA
and from the former Soviet Union came together . This type of gathering has become a very pleasant tradition for EZRA groups who come here from different parts of the world. The participants of these groups get to meet and greet and have a good time together. Also, in attendance at this event were important guests, such as Alex Miller, who is the Deputy of the Knesset from the political group "Our Home Israel" , Igal Yasinov, the Vice President of the Jewish National Fund, and Arik Nudelman, who is the representative of "Beyteyni Olami" and a member of the City Municipal at Ramat- Gan. Also, present was the President and representitive of the Tourism Agency "Tailormade". The atmopshere of the event was very festive and friendly. The night ended with Israeli National dancing and tasty cake.

 

On April 25- 30th, Ezra was hosted at the 4-day intensive Taglit Birthright Israel leadership training program for madrichim in Jerusalem. The focus of the seminar was, first and foremost, to train and prepare the young leaders to take student groups on Birthright Israel trips this summer, as well as strengthen their Jewish roots, and bonds to modern Israeli culture. The seminar was generously supported by Genesis Philanthropy Group and Taglit Birthright Israel. 

The seminar was specially designed for Russian speaking individuals from the former Soviet Union and represented four major organizations - Ezra, Hillel, Nativ, and JAFI. EZRA uniquely included together madrichim from all over the globe: Germany, North America, Israel, and FSU. The educational training was provided by the Institute of Informal Education headed by Dr. Dima Zicer. For the madrichim from Ezra, this seminar was more than just about training of a madrich, but also offered a wonderful opportunity to connect and make friendships with young leaders from other organizations. Participants were able to share experiences and goals and to grow in the process. Most importantly, madrichim from Ezra had a full week to practice working together with one another and learn to operate as individuals within a team to achieve a common goal. Additionally, madrichim from Ezra met with leaders from the Ezra organization and tour guides who offered advice and answers to some important questions, and all worked together to design and improve the Birthright itineraries for the upcoming summer season. Ezra madrichim came back with new knowledge, experiences, friendships and a deeper connection to Ezra - realizing that collaboration and friendships are possible even across the Atlantic. 

Spirits and Spritiality: Kabbalah and The Secrets of the Letters

Kabbalah is a mystical teaching of Judaism. Its a world of reality that is sometimes beyond of our comprehension. Hebrew letters and words are mysterious entities, uniting in themselves wisdom and mystory, and knowledge about the creation of this world. The world was created with words, and names were given to every single thing. Our names are words too. During the meeting of the club we expored our names and their essences, and how they reflect our essence and human beings.

"Left Luggage"

Israel Independance day BBQ

Ezra family celebrated Israeli Independance in a warm and homy invironment together with Ezra madrichim and friends. Israeli style BBQ and tosts for Israel and its prosperity made this event full of Israeli spirit and hope for peace. Thanks to Ezra Russian-speaking young adults know when Israel independence day is, and what it means for the entire Jewish nation. Most of them went to Israel and fell on love with it, and now keep this little country close to their hearts.

 

Holocuast Remembrance and Learning Day                                                                                                                              

In Ezra we realize that memory is done actively by learning and doing. This Holocuast Remembrance Day was a unique opportunity for Ezra participants to learn about the past and to ask about the present. Semyon Rudyak, a holocaust servivor and a poet, has told his amazing story and shared his insights on modern reality, as well as read some of his poem. The ceremony was accomponied but a group of Israeli IDF officers, who were brought to Boston with Hatikva Mission by CJP Boston Haifa connections program specially for the commemoration and celebration  of the most imporatant days in Israeli calendar. The Israeli IDF officers led a workshop that dealt with Holocuast in Israel today and the connection between the contemporary generation and the history.

Shanti-Bhanti Passover Seder with Ezra USA@Boston.

The traditional seder gathered together about 40 participants. Everyone was sitting in the circle on cozy couches and arm chairs, and the atmosphere was very homie....  The participants indulged into delicios foods, traditiional 4 cups of wine, as well as the story of Exodus mixed with contemporaty questions and answers. It was an amazing event!

Meeting #2: "Let's Drink To Freedom!"

Just couple days before Passover about 15 people gathered together to have some Russian homemade pelmeni, drink some cocktails, and tealk about FREEDOM and what does it mean to be free. The conversation was very meaningful, as Pesach is the holiday of Redemption and Freedom for Jewish people.

"LOST ISLANDS" and Chammetz Party

The movie feachures Israeli teen-agers in the beginning of 1980's. Their lives, interestsand dreams are very simiular to a regular American teen-ager, and that's where our guests could find the connection to themselves. But what is different is the Israeli reality which comes into the scene with military service, large and very close families, and commitment to the country. But other than that, same Rock'n'roll!

 

The Purim Party was a blast! Russian Karaoke, open bar organized by Ezra madrichim, the story of Purim told and acted out by Ezra participants, and all kinds of Purim costumes. Our friends from Chabbad synagogue joined us around midnight to read a Kosher Megila for Ezra USA. The celebration lasted long after midnight and brought a lot of new friends to Ezra. And, of course, a lot of people fulfilled the very important Purim obligation "ad lo yada'" (you should drink so your shouldn't distinguish between the righteous Mordechai and evil Haman ) :) Its was an amazing event!

 

Meeting #1: Mojitos with Love.                                                                                                                                                                   

This is a fine event for fine people. Mix a quality beverage with some deep intellectual discussion. The event was just the beginning of the club.We spoke about love and ways to love. How does one practive love? Love is not only a romantic entity, its also very practical thing. Judaism speaks about love as something you have to work on. Erick Fromm speaks about love not bounded by one person and one place, but as a way to live your life.

 

“BONJOUR, MONSIEUR SHLOMI” A warm family comedy and a surprising love story!

In Boston regular movie screening turned into a big young professionals’ event of networking and pleasure. Initiated by the participants themselves the movie is usually preceded by various professional seminars like Money Management, Real Estate, etc. It’s an opportunity for young people not just to come and watch a movie, but also to share their professional interests and by that start building young and vibrant community.

 

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Ezra USA has expended to the West Coast!

I recently had the pleasure to attend the Ezraton Weekend in Calistoga. This weekend had the perfect balance of fun and educational activities. It was really amazing meeting everyone, especially Rabbi Margolin, one of the coolest rabbis I've ever met. What I really enjoyed was the fact that there was just enough Jewish education to make the weekend relevant, but there was no pressure of any kind and it didn't feel forced.

 

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Winter retreat in Elizabeth Freedman Center                                                                                                                                

The Madrichon/Ezraton at Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center was an event that ended too soon.  With snow covering everything on the ground, it was a winter wonderland.  We did everything from hiking and yoga classes during the day to learning about the holiday of TuBishvat. Of course no one can forget all the singing and dancing done during the karaoke night!! The weekend retreat was a great opportunity to make new friendships and reconnect with old friends.  I can not wait to go back.  Thank you Ezra Staff for a wonderful weekend!

Ezra USA provides an opportunity for graduates of our Aviv leadership program to participate in the Poland – Israel seminar. This unique trip allows our participants to visit the concentration camps, as well as places in Poland where once a vibrant Jewish community used to blossom. The participants learn about their heritage, and get the sense of perspective.

Russian Movie Marathon is an amazing event where Russian young adults have an amazing opportunity to reconnect with the culture of one big country they all came from—RUSSIA. Accompanied by Olivie Salad, Vinegret, and herring they all engaged into the night of nostalgia. They laughed and cried together with characters which were so dear to the heart of theirs and their parents.

 

The Channukah Party at Ezra Boston was one of the biggest events in the past year. About 80 participants attended the event. Live Jazz music, delicious donuts, relaxing cocktails, and traditional candle lighting turned the event into unforgettable. The participants had an opportunity to mingle, play card games, and learn about their future form a palm-reader. It was an amazing party!