The 12th “Jewish World-View” seminar has wrapped up in Volgograd. Twenty-five young Jews from nine cities across Russia enjoyed the workshops, round-table discussions and lectures that took place 15-17 hours each day. They did a lot in that time: develop their creative abilities, put on a brief musical show, listening, debating and asking questions in lectures and interactive sessions. Everyone found something significant for themselves in the program: the warmth of communication and advancing their knowledge, intellectual activities and practical exercises orientated towards real life situations.
“This seminar gave me an unforgettable experience and new knowledge about various issues. I want to extend a special thanks to the seminar’s organizers! Gathering such a large number of young Jews to obtain knowledge is definitely a mitzvah. I became acquainted with new people. The lecturers were very educated and they were able to interest us and inspire us to reflect on issues,” commented 20-year-old Irina (Esther) Moskovaya from Volzhskiy.
Raphael Zoger of Saratov, age 23, noted, “For me, this was not the first workshop led by Rabbi Zalman and Yael Yoffe. I want to emphasize the importance of this seminar for Jewish youth in our region. The workshop organizers chose the optimal composition of lecturers and presenters. The activities were well-designed and carried out. I am glad to see that the seminar participants are from a wider audience. And our minds have been broadened through the depth of communication, sharing of experiences and information at the seminar.”
Since returning home after the seminar, one of the participants – Chaim – began to regularly put on tefillin and another two young men have decided to be circumcised. A young woman who did not receive a Jewish name by her parents adopted the Hebrew name Leah. Another participant, a young man whose father is Muslim, was unclear at the commencement of the seminar as to whether he is a Jew. He left with a clear understanding of who he is and with a sense of pride in his Jewish identity.
The seminar’s organizers are confident that for everyone, even a small step toward Jewish living, is worth the organizers’ investment of strength, love and understanding.
The Jewish World-View Seminar was made possible by the financial support from the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia and thanks to the personal involvement of FJC Russia President Alexander Boroda, Chief Rabbi of Volgograd Zalman Yoffe, JCC Director Yael Joffe, and Mila Grinstein.