Limmud FSU Debuts Commemorative Photo Exhibit "Opening the Gates"

NEW YORK, June 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Limmud FSU commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Struggle for Soviet Jewry with the opening of an exhibit of extraordinary photographs at the headquarters of the UJA-Federation of New York. The exhibition curator is Asher Weill.

The 50-image exhibit will be displayed in California, Washington, DC, Florida, Canada, Jerusalem and other cities throughout the world. Created by Limmud FSU in cooperation with the JPost, the exhibit, which opened June 9, features works of Robert A. Cumins.

"These photographs capture the moments," said Stephen Greenberg, president of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations.

Eric Goldstein, CEO of UJA-Federation of New York, participated in the Washington march. He was joined by a quarter million others rallying for the right of Jews to leave the Soviet Union. He described the photo exhibit as a "significant part of our 'collective memory' - a lesson in the power of communal action."

Matthew Bronfman, chairman of the Limmud FSU International Steering Committee, said, "People are anxious to reconnect with their roots - a truly wonderful thing." Standing at an easel he described an exhibit photograph of his father meeting president Mikhail Gorbachev at that critical time.

The event was highlighted by a panel discussion including Peter May, past chairman of Operation Exodus, Natan Sharansky, chairman of the Jewish Agency, and was moderated by Eric Goldstein.

"To be in Natan's presence is wonderful," Peter May said. "An incredible feeling."

May's active participation in the Jewish community started by understanding the refuseniks. "Gorbachev let Jews leave the Soviet Union but not go to Israel." As chairman of the "Passage to Freedom" campaign, May helped to raise $38 million to bring Jews to New York.

When pressure on the USSR made it possible for Jews to go to Israel, May initiated "Operation Exodus." He assumed leadership of that campaign and raised more than a billion dollars. The number of emigrants was estimated at about 300,000- 400,000. More than triple that number came to Israel.

"The intelligentsia of Russia were coming. It was extraordinary. Almost every one of them came off the gangplank and kissed the ground. The Jewish community recognized its responsibilities. Everyone responded," May said.

Sandra Cahn, Limmud FSU co-founder who initiated the event at the NY federation notes that about 300,000 Jews in the Metropolitan area have Russian heritage. "Our audience is the young, often unaffiliated, Russian Jewish population. Everybody has to look after his own," said Chaim Chesler, founder of Limmud FSY. "This is the essence of kol Yisrael haverim (all Jews are friends)."

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SOURCE Limmud FSU