RUSSIAN JEWISH NETWORKING NIGHT – BRINGS COMMUNITY TOGETHER

March 29, 2012, Buffalo Grove, IL, “Russian Jewish Networking Night – Brings Community Together.” The event taking place at eSkape bowling was organized by the Russian Jewish Leadership Forum (RJLF) of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago (JUF/JF).

According to Genia Kovelman, program director for Russian Hillel and Russian Jewish Leadership Forum, it was surprising for the organizers that the number of attended guests was double the expected turnout. "It was great to see such an amazing turnout at the Russian Jewish Networking Night." She continued to say that "Chicago Russian Jewish community is wonderful; people are so warm and appreciative. For the past 10 years through our work at the Jewish Federation we touched lives of more than 2000 Russian-speaking young adults and now we see amazing results."

No wonder the turnout exceeded any expectations, as this networking night had all of the components of a successful event. The attendees had a great opportunity to learn from the guest speaker, Jim Sheehan. Mr. Sheehan is one of the industry’s leading specialists on sales and business coach. In an engaging fashion he talked about the importance of attending these types of events as in his opinion, “networking events provide a great platform for establishing valuable business contacts.”

Guests enjoyed drinks, kosher appetizers and bowling while mingling with other Russian-Jewish young professionals. Old friendships were rekindled; new ones forged, and business contacts established.

Networking is important not only for our personal lives, but for our work and careers as well. It is also critical for building a community. "Events such as this one ensure that our community continues to be a cohesive unit, as well as build personal and business contacts," said Leonard Mogul, market development director for Kontinent Media Group (Eastern European) and a community representative. "I believe in supporting community-centered events".

According to the Russian Jewish Leadership Forum, more than 35,000 Russian-speaking Jews have been resettled in Chicago in the past 20 years. Our young professionals are children of Soviet immigrants, searching for some roots - and maybe romance - with others who have had a similar journey. Their parents all lived under Communist rule, with the threat of prison, loss of livelihood, even banishment to Siberia for practicing their faith. Unlike their American counterparts, these young adults didn't grow up going to synagogue, attending bar and bat mitzvahs or celebrating holidays.

Today, Russian-speaking Jewish young adults in their late 20s through mid-30s are getting more and more involved in the community. They celebrate their Judaism through their Russian heritage and defining themselves while strengthening their identity. As Margaret Lozovatsky, Senior Clinical Consultant, noted: "I think events like this are important because they are a great way for Russian-Jewish young adults to meet each other to keep our community connected."

For more information about the Russian Jewish Leadership Forum, contact Evgenia Kovelman at (312) 673 - 2351, or email EvgeniaKovelman@juf.org.
For more information about this event or future events, contact us at kontinentmedia@gmail.com

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Leonard Mogul
kontinentmedia@gmail.com

Photos by: S. Kovelman