Many thousands of Soviet Jews emigrated during the 1970s motivated by religious or ideological aspiration, economic opportunity, and a desire to escape anti-Semitic discrimination. Lev and Lidia Kuchershi and their two daughters, Inna and Masha came to Columbus in 1974.  Her youngest sister, Susan, was born in America.

Inna says: “My fondest memories as an 11 year old coming to Columbus, as the first Russian Jewish family resettled here, is spending time with the rabbi of Ahavas Sholom, Rabbi Vilensky and his wife. They saved me from feeling ostracized and made me part of their family. I will forever be grateful for their kindness and influence they had on my life.”  The Vilenskys often invited them to Shabbos meals, and Inna played at their home with their children. She said her father and mother were not wealthy, did not know English well, and were not religious, but Ahavas sholom and the Rabbi welcomed them with open arms. She said our shul made her first couple of years in America very special.  Lev and Lidia achieved the American dream by starting a very successful family business, Lev’s pawn shops.

Early on, Inna created financial literacy and business training programs at Jewish Family Services – the same organization that helped her family settle in Columbus. She determined, however, that people also need capital and training to start or grow businesses. That inspired her in 2004 to found ECDI, the Economic and Community Development Institute, a nonprofit focused on economic development. In 2021 and 2022, her company was the largest small business administration microlender in the entire United States.  Since 2004, her company has distributed $165 million dollars in small business loans, and helped create or retain over 40,000 jobs.  ECDI does more to help businesses than just loans. “We like to think of ECDI as a one-stop shop for financing, technical assistance and training” Inna stated. 

Inna has also been generous to many Jewish causes, including Ahavas Sholom.  The Kuchersky family has announced a gift of a Torah to the Columbus Torah Academy.  She has served on the board of the Columbus Jewish Foundation and is a member of the Huntington National Community Advisory Council.

 

Inna and John are proud of their daughters Danielle and Mara (Beeper), and son Nick & Tiffany with grandson Issac.

Inna is so pleased that her friends and family honor her with a journal ad supporting Ahavas Sholom.