How immigrants assist shape long island’s Russian-speaking neighborhood

Dobro pozhalovat' v new york! (Welcome to manhattan!)

The Russian-speakme group of manhattan city is one full of delight, lifestyle and surprising ability. students, CEOs, philanthropists, enterprise owners and more make up this distinctive neighborhood that spans all 5 boroughs.

On the heels of Russian Heritage Month in long island metropolis, we're highlighting just just a few of the a success people whose effective work helps this neighborhood thrive.

Marina Kovalyov, Founder, Russian American basis

Marina Kovalyov arrived in long island in 1979 along with her household after fleeing Russia, where, as a curator for the St. Petersburg Museum, she was considered a trendy highbrow. at the moment, Russia changed into still behind the Iron Curtain, and Marina didn't have the option to trade her strategies and ideas with the Western world. "We still couldn't believe free even to be exposed to or promote the better of our personal lifestyle … the literature became censored, the theatre turned into censored, the subculture become censored, and i become a curator at one of the most predominant museums in the country."

Marina Kovalyov (right), Mayor bill de Blasio and Regina Spektor

once she arrived in long island, Marina landed her dream job as an associate curator for the Brooklyn Museum, which allowed her to continue her professional profession, and brought her to American society. through her work, she gained the assist critical to adapt to American culture. in view that arriving stateside, it has been her aim to position the Russian-talking neighborhood on the map, and in 1997, together with her daughter Rina Kirshner (a Wharton graduate), she co-established the Russian American foundation.

Our Russian-speakme group is a tremendously knowledgeable, subtle neighborhood that got here to this country to turn into a advantageous a part of this society.

 - Marina Kovalyov

The groundwork aims to bridge the hole between the U.S. and former Soviet countries via paintings, cultural initiatives, sports and early life programming. moreover, it strives to preserve an open communicate between the U.S. and former Soviet nations to inspire a relationship between the Russian-talking and mainstream communities right here in long island — a talk that the foundation believes will assist the group navigate American society. Marina's contributions to the Russian-speakme community and the metropolis have been diagnosed by way of Mayor Mike Bloomberg, Mayor bill de Blasio, the United Jewish attraction, the Brownstone experience groundwork, COJECO, Batsheva organization and many others.

Marina's ardour for artwork led her to co-discovered Sonmar group LLC, a highly a success foreign art consulting firm focusing on curation. Marina and her company associate, Sonya Bekkerman, are responsible for bringing the primary American exhibition to Kazakhstan, further bridging the hole between the cultures of her roots and her adopted domestic.

Marina continues to be a riding force behind the success of the Russian-speakme group here in long island city.

Talya Schwartz, M.D., president and CEO, MetroPlus fitness Plan

Talya Schwartz

As a younger Jewish girl in Uzbekistan, Talya longed to reside in Israel. When she was eight years old, her family become in a position to make that dream a reality. After dwelling in Israel unless maturity, Talya made the choice to come back to the united states in 1999. It certainly was now not her plan to stay here for twenty years. "The plan became to come back adventure something distinct, then go again domestic, however i finished up staying seeing the infinite alternatives that have been uniquely attainable here."

From a really early age, Talya knew precisely what she wanted to do: "Ever on the grounds that I've had any childhood recollections of myself, I at all times talked about i wished to be a physician." She on no account shifted her focus, and her resolution led her to the place she is today. As president and CEO of MetroPlus, Talya has the pleasing probability to deliver complete, equal, compassionate entry to health care for every single New Yorker, and especially the immigrant inhabitants. With the realizing of the interesting cultural historical past of the Russian-talking community, MetroPlus hires Russian-talking workforce to assure that nothing is misplaced in translation.

MetroPlus' network has greater than 30,000 suppliers in big apple metropolis — approximately 1,600 of whom are Russian-speaking, to support this enormous community of immigrants feel relaxed. As an immigrant herself, Talya is aware one of the most struggles they may face, for instance, the deserve to work long hours. MetroPlus offers basic primary care screenings all over greater handy times for its individuals, comparable to on vacation trips, weekends, and after standard enterprise hours. Talya has additionally made it a priority to attain out to representatives of the Russian-speakme community to improved take into account their specific needs.

"MetroPlus is a leader within the greater initiative here in NYC of guaranteed health care for all, even with legal or immigrant repute or the potential to come up with the money for health care, and that definitely can serve well our Russian-talking group."

Eugene Schneur, co-managing director and co-founder, Omni big apple LLC

Eugene Schneur

Eugene emigrated from the Soviet Union when he became simply 7 years historical. He and his family moved into an inexpensive housing advanced in Brighton seashore and relied closely on part eight vouchers to support pay employ. Now, Eugene makes a residing buying and rehabilitating reasonably priced housing devices throughout the tri-state enviornment because the co-managing director and co-founder of Omni ny.

due to the fact that its founding in 2004, Eugene has overseen the daily operations of the full-carrier real property corporation, which now employs 800-plus people. Over that span, Omni has bought, rehabilitated or constructed 71 properties totaling more than 14,000 gadgets of reasonably priced housing with an aggregate transaction amount of about $2 billion, bringing Eugene's emigration success story full circle.

apart from his entrepreneurial endeavors, Eugene is neatly established for his philanthropic work, being a vivid supporter of such groups as UJA Federation, RAJE, Russian American groundwork and others.

Marlen Kruzhkov, managing member, Kruzhkov Russo

Marlen Kruzhkov

Marlen Kruzhkov concentrates his prison observe in corporate and transactional law. Fluent in Russian with a powerful client base each domestically and abroad, Marlen is without doubt one of the right attorneys within the u.s. advising Russian-talking valued clientele on their international prison needs.

despite his heavy caseload, Marlen nevertheless makes time to be an active leader within the Russian-speaking neighborhood. He's a former co-chairman of the Russian management Division of the United Jewish attraction, a current member of the board of administrators of the Russian American Jewish event, in addition to a board member of the Russian speaking business Attorneys network. he is the primary Russian-speakme decide appointed to the particular court of the American Zionist flow.

Edward A. Mermelstein, Founder and CEO, One & handiest Realty

Edward A. Mermelstein marching within the 2019 have fun Israel Parade.Karen Rubin

Edward is a Russian-American precise estate attorney, criminal strategist, businessman, developer and founder/CEO of one & only Holdings, which caters to the wants of excessive-net value people. despite his busy schedule, he manages to find the time to supply again to his group. He's been named some of the 10 most influential figures in ny metropolis true estate whereas being involved with a number of classes and agencies like the UJA-Federation, big apple youth Ballet, The hyperlink of instances Cultural-ancient Fund and more. He also at the moment serves as a md of COJECO.

In June, 2019 Edward Mermelstein become honored to guide the Israel Parade as its Grand Marshal up FifthAvenue in entrance of a whole bunch of lots of spectators.

To study greater concerning the Russian American basis and their annual Russian Heritage Month, click on right here!