A seminar for Jewish youth from all over southern Russia took place this past weekend. The seminar was attended by over 50 young Jews from multiple communities including Sochi, Maikop, Volgograd, Volzhsky, Armavir, Anapa, Taganrog, Krasnodar, as well as from Voronezh and Dnepropetrovsk (Ukraine). Understandably, the largest delegation was from Rostov, with 25 attendees, who not only participated but also helped organize and lead the weekend.
The participants appreciated the two-day lecture series provided during the seminar, led by Rabbis Yosef Yisroel Masakovsky and Dov Ber Beitman. The lectures covered a wide array of topics and featured a question and answer session.
The participants also enjoyed informal gatherings as well as the friendly atmosphere and celebration of Shabbat. For some of the participants, this was the first time they had ever celebrated Shabbat while others are more active in Jewish communital life.
Other features of the youth retreat included a bonfire, sing-along with guitar accompaniment, and candid discussions on exciting topical subjects: how to build a life, how to create a real Jewish family, how to reconcile the desire to live according to Jewish laws and the realities of life around them.
"Everyone was pleased with their participation and plans for the next gathering already got underway on the first day. It is important that these young people got to appreciate a weekend of Jewish life,” explained Chief Rabbi of Rostov Chaim Danzinger. “Several young men were called to the Torah for the first time in their lives, while four girls took Jewish names. They all asked many questions, discussed Jewish topics, and were glad to have new acquaintances and networking opportunities. This indicates the need to conduct more such events.”
For all participants, it was important to know that other cities also have young Jews participating in Jewish communal life and that they share similar interests and concerns. “Once young people determine the need for such meetings, especially in terms of their spiritual growth, we must provide such opportunities. We will continue to work in this direction,” affirmed Rabbi Danzinger.