Amidst ongoing tensions, 45 Jewish students and young professionals from across Ukraine recently participated in STARS Ukraine’s third consecutive seminar for 2024.
This seminar followed the highly successful Winter and Passover seminars, which left a lasting impact on the young participants.
Rabbi Pinchas Vishedski, CEO of STARS Ukraine and Rabbi of the KEDEM community in Kyiv, together with his wife Dina, led the event.
Rabbi Vishedski remarked, “Jewish life in Ukraine, despite the challenges and difficulties, continues to flourish, slowly returning to routine and looking forward to a bright future”,
“This special seminar is a testimony,” added Rabbi Vishedski, “to the strong yearning of Ukraine’s Jewry, especially its future generation, to discover and connect to their roots and heritage.
The fact that 40% of the participants were newcomers reflects exactly this. In the last few weeks, sirens have been heard across the country countlessly, causing masses to flee for safety and shelter. This is why the Carpathian Mountains were chosen to host the seminar and provide the youngsters at least a few days of tranquility and peace.”
The students enjoyed a variety of trips and activities, lectures of Torah and Chassidut on relevant topics, and the highlight – a beautiful Shabbos with farbrengen into the night.
This successful seminar was made possible through the unwavering support and encouragement of esteemed partner organizations. The STARS organization, led by Rabbi Avi Kessel; JRNU, led by Rabbi Shlomo Peles; and the umbrella organization YAHAD, guided by Rabbi Mendy Wilansky and operating within the Federation of Jewish Communities (FJC), all played crucial roles in ensuring the resounding success of this event.
