Just before the Passover holiday, thirty-three coordinators and staff of the JFutures program traveled to Slavske, a town in western Ukraine, for a 4-day professional training seminar.
The event included lectures and workshops to enhance programming at weekly Sunday School classes for children aged 5-12. JFutures, supported in part by JRNU, operates in dozens of communities throughout Ukraine, providing children learning opportunities that combine modern technologies with Jewish traditions:
“Our mission is to help children develop their potential, strengthen the connection with their Jewish heritage, and create a foundation for a successful future,” explains Rabbi Shlomo Neeman, JFutures’ Educational Director.
“The location was chosen far from the daily stresses and tensions,” he explained. “Our coordinators are skilled and experienced in imparting Jewish values alongside excellence. Our goal was not only to provide staff with educational tools and approaches, but also help them cope with the ongoing crises, to demonstrate hope, optimism, and resilience, to their students and parents.”
Thousands of Jewish children, most of whom are not enrolled in formal Jewish education programs, participate in JFutures, where they learn about Jewish values, and educational excellence. The weekly sessions include hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
JFutures programming also includes parents, to help them be active participants in their children’s lives. Throughout the year, workshops and events are held to strengthen family bonds and encourage a warm and supportive family environment.
JFutures and other educational programs in Ukraine are more important than ever, to address not only the educational needs of children but also the emotional and spiritual needs. Many children are dealing with tremendous stress, anxiety, and fear, on a regular basis, interfering with their ability to learn and develop. We remain deeply committed to the children and to Ukrainians of all ages, helping to address their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
