Moscow, April 14: More than 2,100 Jewish participants participated in this weekend’s Limmud FSU Moscow festival. The 13th annual event included more than 350 different lectures, sessions, panels and performances, along with a special children’s program, that was structured as Limmud is, with multiple choices every hour, and run by teenage volunteers.

Keynote speakers included Russia’s chief rabbi, Berel Lazar, Israel’s Minister of Jerusalem Affairs and Minister of Environmental Protection Zeev Elkin, Limmud FSU President Aaron G. Frenkel, Israeli Ambassador to Russia Gary Koren, President and CEO of Genesis Philanthropy Group Ilia Salita, philanthropist Harold Grinspoon and more.

One of the highlights of the event was the inauguration of a new exhibition based on the life’s work and heritage of the noted Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz. Rabbi Steinsaltz was one of the first spiritual leaders of Limmud FSU and took part in its inaugural event in Moscow in 2006. The exhibit was produced especially for the event by Limmud FSU and the Steinsaltz Center in Jerusalem. At the festive opening, a round-table discussion took place on the philosophy and heritage of the rabbi with the participation of distinguished guests from Israel and elsewhere.

Speaking to eJP, participant Inna Kagan (25) said, “This is my 5th time at Limmud FSU in Moscow, and I can definitely say that it is just keep getting better and better each year. Amazing energy, atmosphere, and so many high-quality content that makes it almost impossible to choose. I just love it.”

In the best tradition of Limmud, the event was made possible by its team of local leaders and volunteers, led by Limmud FSU Executive Director Roman Kogan and Project Manager Elena Zakharova, volunteers Mikhail Libkin, Alexandra Livergant, Alexander Piatigorskiy, Anna Tseplyaeva and others.

Commenting on the event, Founder of Limmud FSU, Chaim Chesler said: “It’s truly unbelievable that we reached our 13th milestone in Moscow, the very place where Limmud FSU was born, and we’re honored to continue serving an important part in the life of the local Jewish community.” Sandy Cahn, Limmud FSU co-founder added that “it is our hope to continue to flourish and strengthen our wonderful community in Moscow, it’s truly inspiring and unprecedent.”

Limmud FSU Moscow was generously supported by Genesis Philanthropy Group (GPG), Nativ, the Claims Conference, Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and others.