Russian Jewish Leadership Forum
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RJLF was recently established to further connect young Russian Jewish professionals in the Chicago area with each other, with the broader established Jewish community, and with their own Jewish identity. Since its inception in the spring of 2009, RJLF has sponsored its own programs, co-sponsored events, and its members have participated in community-wide programs. You can learn more about the establishment and mission of the RJLF.
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There is a core group of nine leaders who currently serve as the Forum’s Vice-Chairs and who are responsible for the planning and implementing programs in four specific areas:
Volunteering and Community Involvement
- Alla Karagodin
- Olga Shalman
Israel/Jewish Education
- Jane Charney
- Alex Turik
Professional Networking
- Diana Chernyhovsky
- Anatoliy Shir
Social Networking
- Max Averbukh
- Roman Chernyhovsky
- Ilya Trakhtenberg
Are you interested in getting involved with the Russian Jewish Leadership Forum? Do you have a program suggestion? If yes, please contact RussianJewishLeadershipForum@juf.org and let us know.
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Join the social network that is sweeping the nation! The Russian Jewish Leadership Forum is now on Facebook. Connect with friends and stay up-to-date on upcoming events and programs. Visit the RJLF Facebook page, learn about what's new and let us know what you think. |
Upcoming Programs
| Sunday, November 1 | Join RJLF at the Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema - 5:30 pm AMC Loews 600 North Michigan Ave. $8 group tickets - contact RussianJewishLeadershipForum@juf.org to purchase tickets |
| Monday, November 9 | Networking Dinner and Discussion with Michael Polsky, CEO Invenergy LLC Jewish Federation/Jewish United Fund - 30 S. Wells St. $12 per person on-line advanced registration, $18 per person day of registration Register me for this program! |
| Varied Dates | Volunteer Opportunities with HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) HIAS is looking for individuals who are interested in volunteering. There are four different opportunities which are currently available. 1. Tutoring individuals for their citizenship test. (Volunteers should be able to speak Russian for this volunteer assignment.) A volunteer would commit to one-on-one tutoring program for 9 weeks – once a week (1.5-2 hours per week). The tutor would undergo some training and would meet the client in a public location (community center, library, etc.) to help prepare them for the citizenship test. 2. Teachers for the Citizenship Class – The citizenship class is taught in three different locations – two in the evening (in Arlington Heights and in Skokie) and one during the day at EZRA in Chicago on Wednesday afternoons. The class is a 9-week session – 2 hours a week. The next session will begin in November, and the training will begin in October. This is a more substantial commitment 3. Practice Interviewers (Russian is not required) This does not require a long-term commitment – but there is some training involved and basically the volunteer is trained to ask the client similar questions (in English) to what they would be asked during their citizenship interview. This type of volunteer assignment is on an as needed basis and as available. (1 – 1.5 hours per session) 4. HIAS is looking for Russian speaking translators who can accompany disabled and elderly clients who are talking citizenship tests. In some cases clients are allowed to take the test in Russian (if they have reached a certain age and/or if they are disabled.). If the client is being allowed to take the test in Russian, they are required to bring a translator. This is a “day of” commitment and their might be a pre- test meeting for the translator and the client to meet. Background checks are required for all volunteers. For more information contact: RussianJewishLeadershipForum@juf.org |
Past Programs
| October 8 | Succot Celebration with Heritage Russian Jewish Congregation |
| March 28 | Kick-Off Event and Social Evening at the Standard Club |
| May 3 | Community-Wide Walk with Israel Celebrations |
| May 6 and 7 | Victory Day Celebrations in Chicago |
| May 13, 19, and 27 | JUF Trade Dinners |
| June 11 | Dinner and a Movie – screening of Out of Faith with movie director, L. Mark DeAngelis (Learn more about the film) |
| June 18 | Co-sponsored Blue & White Bar Night |
| July 26 | RJLF Volunteers at the Uptown Café (Read more) |
| August 5 | Concert and Picnic at Ravinia, featuring the Chicago Symphony Orchestra playing first concertos of Russian masters. |
Contact
The Russian Jewish Leadership Forum of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago provides young Russian Jewish professionals with opportunities for professional and social networking, leadership development, volunteering at local social service agencies, and educational programs. E-mail RussianJewishLeadershipForum@juf.org for more information about future programs.
