Alex Turik

Alex was born in St. Petersburg, grew up in Jerusalem and served in the IDF, and now lives in Evanston. He found a way to honor all three places he has lived by co-founding the Russian Jewish Leadership Forum in 2009, an initiative that has since become part of JUF’s Russian Jewish Division. Alex has served on the RJD advisory board and will become chairman in August.

Alex is passionate about helping integrate young Russian Jews into the larger Jewish community of Chicago. These “young Russian Jews” include his own two boys. In fact, in March of this year, Alex and his twin brother, Nik, sponsored the 10th Russian Shabbaton retreat for 130 Russian-speaking Jewish young professionals.

Alex’s leadership touched hundreds of people and made a true difference in the community,” said RJD Director Genia Kovelman, who nominated Alex for Double Chai in the Chi.

Alex enjoys travel and meditation, and he expresses his creativity by writing short stories that he hopes to publish someday. Alex and Nik opened HAN Capital, a real-estate firm, in 2009.

Age:
35

Primary gig:
Capitalist 

On the side:
Dad of two boys, short story writer 

Relationship status:
Happily divorced

How do you give back?
A few years ago I helped start an organization that connects young Russian professionals with Chicago's Jewish community. Over the years our organization evolved into the Russian Jewish Division and was brought under the JUF roof. Nowadays, I serve as a chairman of this organization and I'm passionate helping integrate young Russian Jews into the larger Jewish community of Chicago. 

Describe yourself in 10 words or less:
Russian - Israeli - American short story writer turned capitalist

Celebrity doppelganger or Who would you play in a movie:
Seth Rogen

How do you Jew in Chicago?
Take my kids to Shul on Shabbat and participate in challah baking classes. 

Passions:
Judaism, traveling and meditation 

If time and money were limitless, I would:
Bring the rest of the Jews remaining in Russia and Ukraine to Israel. 

Chicago's Jewish community in 10 years:
The best organized and funded community in the U.S. that provides for all of the Jewish community's needs. 

Me in 10 years:
JUF Chairman