Sergey Leivikov is an entrepreneur, active member of Ukrainian Jewish community, and Advisor to the Head of Odesa regional council. Sergey is from Odesa, the city which has given Israel a lot of outstanding people.
Sergey Leivikov graduated from Odesa National University with Master's degree in Economics. While he was a student, he was actively involved in civil organizations and movements. He led Ukrainian youth civil and political organizations, was a member of the board of Odesa Youth Council, ran for Student President of Ukraine in 2007 and became Ukrainian student vice-president. In 2006-2010, Sergey founded A5 an all-Ukrainian youth newspaper where he was an editor-in-chief. Since 2008, Sergey has been an advisor for political campaigns and elections.
Since 2010, Sergey has been working in the field of energy efficiency and renewables. He was an Executive Director of Energy Efficiency Utility of Odesa regional state administration, consultant in energy efficiency in the United Nations Development Program, advisor to ministers and regional leaders, and member of expert organizations and commissions. Since 2016, Sergey Leivikov has been an Executive Director in the group of companies in the field of heat and water supply.
Sergey is deeply engaged in the life of Jewish organizations in Ukraine. In 2006-2010, he served as a Deputy Chair of Ukrainian Union of Jewish Students. In 2012, he was a member of the organizing Committee of Youth board of The Euro-Asian Jewish congress. Since 2015, he is a member of the WJC Jewish Diplomatic Corps.
Sergey’s areas of involvement into activities of Jewish community include:
- restoration of Jewish heritage:
- return and reconstruction of the Brodsky synagogue in Odesa (the building of 1863, the first choral synagogue of the former Russian Empire).
- restoration of the synagogue in Balta town built in 1863 that is under reconstruction for the museum of Jewish shtetl and synagogue for local community.
- enhancement of a Nursing home for the community in Odesa
- establishment of Jewish history and culture museum in Chernivtsi town
His public activities help promote the dialogue with authorities and strengthen the community across the following topics:
- promoting interethnic and interreligious dialogue
- developing communities of Jewish young professionals and entrepreneurs for networking and community building
- educational projects (e.g., a project aimed at training Shoa history teachers, numerous projects for students)
- strengthening ties with Israel by promoting diplomatic, political, and business relations.
“I have been involved in civil activity for almost 20 years. Since 2006, after my first trip to Israel I made an important decision to take part in the local Jewish life. I will work hard for benefit of the World Jewish Congress and Jewish communities worldwide.”