Over 750 Jews from Belarus convened in Minsk the past weekend, the largest and most significant Jewish event locally in recent years.

The event, organised by the Limmud FSU, in partnership with the government of Belarus, the Belarus Jewish community and the Israeli Embassy in Minsk, provided providing Belarusian Jews an unprecedented cultural, educational, communal, and social experience.

According to Limmud FSU Founder Chaim Chesler, ‘’this event with the government’s support underscores the strength of contemporary Jewish life in Belarus.”

“We are witnessing a new era of Belarus Jews that have become completely independent and have defined the framework of Jewish life on their own, and for themselves. The Belarus Jewish community is proud and here to stay.”

Boris Gersten, chairman of the Union of Belarusian Jewish pblic organizations and communities, said : “Limmud FSU in Minsk marks an important milestone in the history of the Union of Belarusian Jewish public organizations and associations. The Belarusian capital is the latest in a long list of cities worldwide that have hosted the international educational program of Limmud FSU.”

The gathering concluded with a special day in the city of Babruysk, premiering two photo exhibitions of Zionist pioneers whose roots were also in the area, journalists and political activists Abba Ahimeir and Berl Katznelson.

Founded 10 years ago, Limmud FSU strives to foster the next generation of young Russian-speaking Jewish leadership and so revitalize Jewish communities in the countries of the former Soviet Union, and in countries with Russian-Jewish communities, wherever they may be.