In what many are calling a miracle in Odesa, over 100 Jewish teenagers from across Ukraine participating in the EnerJew Champions League Winter Seminar narrowly avoided tragedy when a last-minute technical issue prompted organizers to change venues from the Bristol Hotel. The original location was later impacted during a missile strike that also destroyed the Jewish University of Odesa building.
The four-day seminar, which brought together Jewish youth from ten Ukrainian cities, proceeded safely under the leadership of Rabbi Itamar Wolf, who worked tirelessly to ensure its success despite the challenging circumstances. The gathering included participants from Kharkiv, Odesa, Vinnytsia, Kamianske, Cherkasy, Mykolaiv, Kremenchuk, Kyiv, Sumy, and Dnipro.
“It was incredibly moving to witness the enormous enthusiasm and joy of these young people,” shared Rabbi 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 seminar, supported by JRNU, the Federation of Jewish Communities and Chabad’s humanitarian arm in Ukraine, featured an impressive array of Jewish leaders, including Rabbi Avraham and Chaya Wolf, the Chief Rabbi and Chabad Shluchim of Odesa; Rabbi Mendy Wolf of Odesa; Rabbi Shalom Ber and Chavi Moskowitz of Kharkiv; Rabbi Yaakov and Miriam Yakimenko of Kharkiv; and Rabbi David Vaskovsky from Dnipro, Rabbi Fishel Chychelnytskyi and Mrs. Malki Hartman, both from Odesa. Rabbi Shlomo Neeman from the management of Atidenu and Mrs. Lena Kovylova, EnerJew Ukraine Regional Director, also played key roles in the program’s success.
Under the theme “Champions League,” reflecting EnerJew’s mission to develop active participants rather than spectators in Jewish life, the seminar offered a comprehensive program of activities that brought the community together in meaningful ways. Participants engaged in traditional Shabbat preparation, including the meaningful ritual of challah baking, and took part in creative workshops where they designed custom shoppers and T-shirts. The program included guided tours of Odesa’s historic Jewish sites alongside interactive educational sessions and team challenges that fostered leadership skills and cultural connection.
The Shabbat experience formed a centerpiece of the gathering, with participants joining together for prayer services and festive meals that highlighted the joy of Jewish tradition. Following Havdalah, the young people celebrated with a special event featuring games, entertainment, photo opportunities, and refreshments. The program concluded with an excursion to the local dolphinarium, providing a moment of joy and normalcy for youth living in challenging times.
The last-minute venue change, while initially seen as an inconvenience, proved to be what participants and organizers now view as divine providence, allowing the next generation of Ukrainian Jewry to safely enjoy an uplifting winter seminar to be remembered for life.
EnerJew is FSU’s Jewish youth movement, currently celebrating its tenth year of activity, and operates in over 70 branches across 10 countries. Supported by the Finger Family Foundation, the organization engages thousands of Jewish teenagers aged 12 to 17, and has already empowered over 14,000 graduates to reconnect with their Jewish roots, creating a powerful network of young Jews revitalizing community life in the Former Soviet Union.
