By COLlive reporter
Photos: Akiva Sheinberger
Over 800 Jewish students from across Russia and other former Soviet countries arrived this week in Shanghai, China, for an identity-building Shabbos and weekend.
Peak excitement was noted at the magical and moving opening event, marking the culmination of a year of dedicated and engaging Jewish learning. Shluchim, mashpim, and honored guests are accompanying the journey, infusing it with vibrant Jewish and Chassidic energy around the clock.
Behind this powerful journey, which officially launched last night with a dramatic event, is the ‘YAHAD’ organization, operating under the Federation of Jewish Communities (FJC).
Time seemed to stand still as the opening event of the YAHAD voyage kicked off at the Hilton Hotel in Shanghai. A vibrant host led the 800 Jewish students through electrifying hours of joy and heartfelt unity.
Lavish hospitality, exotic and authentic Chinese branding, breathtaking folklore and acrobatic performances, cutting-edge multimedia productions, inspiring speeches, group singing, waves of emotion, interactive activities, dancing, and more—all combined to create an unforgettable experience. Many of the students, who are only now reconnecting with their Jewish heritage after generations of disconnect, were visibly moved and excited.
Between a touching video recap of last year’s journey to Thailand and a humorous interactive segment, the first speaker was Rabbi Mendy Wilansky, CEO of YAHAD, who warmly welcomed the participants with great energy and emotion. He ended his speech with singing that the students joined in with enthusiasm.
Many months of effort and planning have gone into this voyage, which is only just beginning. Gratitude was expressed to the Peles-Fleishman production company and to the young leaders and team heads whose hard work is making the trip a success—prompting spontaneous applause from the crowd.
Rabbi Shalom Greenberg, the Shliach in Shanghai, delivered a speech in English highlighting the city’s Jewish and Chabad history during the Holocaust.
His remarks naturally transitioned into the multimedia presentation presented next that brought to life historic events, accompanied by the song “Shir HaGeulah – Hachayeni Kel,” written by the Frierdiker Rebbe during that era. Following the screening, Rabbi Itzik Gorelik, the Chabad emissary to Kazan, took the stage and invited the other Shluchim to join in singing the Chabad anthem “Nyet Nyet Nikavo.”
Student representatives from YAHAD’s 60 branches marched forward holding branded flags with their branch names, drawing cheers from the audience. At the end of the presentation, a dramatic surprise: an intense and thrilling acrobatic show took over the stage, leaving everyone in awe.
The YAHAD anthem and other spirited tunes filled the hall just before the formal opening event concluded and the group transitioned into the night’s programming—farbrengens, lectures, and bonding activities in preparation for the next day of the journey.
