Last week, more than 100 teenagers narrowly avoided tragedy when the Bristol Hotel in Odessa was destroyed by a missile. Just hours before the strike, which also damaged a nearby Jewish school, the EnerJew Champions League Winter Seminar was relocated to a different venue. The youth, who came from Kharkiv, Odesa, Vinnytsia, Kamianske, Cherkasy, Mykolaiv, Kremenchuk, Kyiv, Sumy, and Dnipro were able to participate in the seminar without interruption.
“It was incredibly moving to witness the enormous enthusiasm and joy of these young people,” shared Rabbi Itamar Wolf. “They are living through challenging times that naturally could dim their spirits, yet here at the seminar, they were filled with happiness while strengthening their Jewish identity, connecting to their roots, and forming friendships with peers from across Ukraine. We thank the Almighty for the great miracle of keeping our children safe and sound.”
The “Champions League” seminar, part of the youth group EnerJew’s mission to foster active participation in Jewish life, included interactive educational sessions and activities to develop leadership skills, team building and cultural connections. Additionally, the teens had an opportunity to bake challah and design custom t-shirts, as well as enjoy a guided tour of Odessa's historic Jewish sites. For Shabbat, the participants joined together for prayer services and festive meals. Following Havdalah, the young people celebrated with games, entertainment, photo opportunities, and refreshments. The program concluded with an excursion to the local dolphinarium.
The last-minute change in location that took the teens away from the hotel was initially seen as an inconvenience, but turned out to be lifesaving. The participants and organizers credit divine providence for keeping the youth safe as they enjoyed an uplifting seminar to be remembered for life.
JRNU is proud to support the EnerJew Champions League Winter Seminar which is needed now more than ever, to encourage the younger generation of Jews in Ukraine.
