For those working in, or with Israel’s Russian-speaking young adult community, the new place to be seen is the Fishka House in South Tel Aviv. Here, on the 3rd night of Chanukah, an overflowing group of participants, funder representatives and other supporters, were on hand for a candle-lighting and dedication of their new home, complete with good conversation, good food, and musical and theatrical entertainment.

Fishka, a community-based organization, programs to a Russian-speaking young adult population through cultural programs, including cinema, music and theater projects, poetry workshops, volunteer initiatives working with south Tel Aviv senior citizens and more.

They have recently launched a number of new projects including Laboratoria – a place to pilot projects which impact Israeli society, culture and community and Radical Jews – to introduce the audience to the artistic and philosophical heritage of the most radical Jewish authors.

The evening program was in collaboration with Bina, the secular yeshiva in Tel Aviv; the two groups come together to sponsor community events on the various holidays geared to both Russian speakers and native Israelis.

In Russian slang, the word “Fishka” means the uniqueness that makes us special.

Our readers may remember, Fishka was host this past Tu B’Av eve to an un-Orthodox public wedding.

Fishka is supported by Avi Chai, Genesis Philanthropy Group (GPG), UJA-Federation NY, the New Israel Fund and the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality. More information on Fishka and their various initiatives can be found on their website.

images: Katy Gorshkov