RAJE - The Russian American Jewish Experience RAJE - The Russian American Jewish Experience. RAJE is an evolving organization committed to sparking Jewish life in Russian American society. As the Russian Division of Gateways, we are passionate about building a community that embraces Russian speaking Jews from all walks of life. The core of RAJE is our Fellowship Programming.
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Dmitriy Salita
The Pride of Israel Award

Pride of Israel Award Dmitriy SalitaBorn in Odessa, Ukraine, Dmitriy moved with his family to Brooklyn at the age of nine; he said, “Basically, we came to America because Jews were discriminated against. My parents thought that my brother and I wouldn’t grow up with the opportunity to be the best that we could be. " He started boxing at the age of 13 at the Starrett City Boxing Club, and in 2001 won the Golden Gloves 139-pound open title at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. The 3-2 decision he won in the Golden Gloves finals earned Salita the Sugar Ray Robinson Award as the outstanding boxer in the tournament.

After he moved to Brooklyn, Dmitry was exposed to Judaism and became an observant Jew. He strictly follows Jewish law; if he has a fight on a Saturday, it must begin after sundown, the end of the Sabbath. In Dmitry’s words:

“Anyone who wants a good whuppin’ from me is just going to have to wait until sundown…I will never compromise my beliefs, never. It’s not a question. I have a personal relationship with God that I won’t compromise. My boxing is such a big part of my life, but it won’t get in the way of my religion. It can’t, and it won’t. I am very grateful to America for letting me pursue my goals, and have freedom of religion and speech. You don’t normally appreciate it, but when you don’t have it, you understand just how great it is to have it. Now that I am older, I understand it.”