Four new cities opened branches of the EnerJew youth movement in April, making the movement’s total a whooping 35 cities and seven countries – one of the new clubs is in Riga, Latvia, a country which has not been a part of the movement previously. The three others are Novosibirsk, Russia, Kharkov and Krivoy Rog, Ukraine.

“We are very happy that EnerJew is growing, that it’s becoming a real home for Jewish youth everywhere across the FSU,” said Konstantin Shulman, EnerJew director. “We welcome the new cities to become an active part of the project and they’ve already had a great and energetic start.”

The new cities had a fun launch activity, and since then have been conducting weekly programs as the rest of EnerJew branches across the region. “The club is gathering momentum. As with everything in the Baltics, it goes “slowly, but surely”. EnerJew is an awesome project and if we just do it right people will come,” said the coordinator of the new branch in Riga.

In Krivoy Rog teenagers were already ready for the opening and came in a large group. “Everyone loves how EnerJew activities are run,” their coordinator said.

Novosibirsk had a lavish launch party with live music, a quest, a cup-painting workshop and a lottery. They also bonded over writing wishes on pieces of paper, tying them to balloons and sending them fly. There are about 13 people in the club currently. “We are very excited that such a grandiose project as Enerjew opened here, in Novosibirsk. We’ve been waiting for it for a long time. The city has a lot of energy and a lot of resources to develop within the framework of the project,” club coordinator said.

EnerJew is a Jewish youth movement for teenagers aged 13-18 in the FSU. It focuses on developing initiative and Jewish leadership, creating close connections between the youth and their heritage and thus raising an active and vibrant young Jewish community in the region.