(Courtesy of COJECO) The Council of Jewish Emigre Community Organizations hosted their annual gala, marking 17 years of service to New York’s Russian-speaking Jewish Community, on May 23 at the Angel Orensanz Center in New York.

The Russian Speaking Jewish Community of New York shares not only a common tongue and culture, but also a common life story—with many experiencing life under the former Soviet Union, or perhaps growing up with parents who did. The gala offered a chance to celebrate this culture and the community, which put down roots in the New York metropolitan area after leaving the former USSR.

The honorees included Ronn Torossian, the president and CEO of 5WPR. Torossian has represented top global brands including Coca-Cola, McDonald’s and Microsoft. His firm was named “PR Agency of the Year” for three consecutive years by the American Business Awards.

Additionally among the honorees was Kate Kalmykov, who currently leads the business immigration practice group in the New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia offices at Greenberg Traurig. Kate has successfully worked with non-profit legal organizations to secure immigration benefits for trafficking victims and women pursuant to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

In addition to Torossian and Kalmykov, COJECO honored Marina and Michael Zurakhinsky.

Marina founded Zplay School on the Upper West Side of Manhattan—a center where specialized educators offer top-notch programs and workshops for local (and her own) children and their parents. Michael founded The Art Story, an internet resource that provides expert and clear art-history information across the world. This group of fascinating people truly shows the service and dedication of the Russian Jewish Community not only to the New York City area, but to the entire United States.

The keynote address was delivered by Rabbi Yitz Greenberg, the co-founder of CLAL, the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership. During the struggle to free Russian Jewry from the Soviet Union’s ban on emigration, Rabbi Greenberg was one of the founders of the Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry. He also served as the executive director of the President’s Commission of the Holocaust under Elie Wiesel.

Additional remarks were delivered by Israel’s permanent representative to the UN, Danny Danon. Just last year, Ambassador Danon was elected Vice President of the 72nd UN General Assembly. Danon is recognized as a firm voice for Israel and for peace in the Middle East on the international political stage.