Ancient Tefillin Leads to Vow

Yura, a resident of Rostov, began attending a social group for young professionals at the synagogue in 2011. Growing up, he had never had any connection to Judaism – he did not even have a bris milah – and only knew he was Jewish because his family were identified as Jews on their passports.

In 2007 he joined a birthright trip to Israel and later he toured Holocaust sites in Poland. Gradually, he felt a spiritual awakening and grew more involved in the Jewish community in Rostov, joining the Young Professionals Group.

“During this period,” Yura said, “The community has transformed. We have a new Rabbi, a new relatively young Chairman of the community, and a new enthusiastic youth leader. It became clear why we are here, where we are going, and what we can and must do for the common aim, for Jewish life.”

The classes and discussion groups that Yura attended piqued his interest and as he built a relationship with the Rabbi, and explored his Jewish identity, he decided to seek advice about a chest of antiquities that he had discovered in his grandparent’s attic. Rabbi Chaim Danzinger helped him sort through the items and they were astonished to discover several well-worn holy books dating back to 1899, an old pair of tefillin from Yura’s great-grandfather, also from the late 1800’s, and other Judaic articles. Yura was so excited and moved to find that his family had secretly guarded and preserved these precious items throughout the decades of Communist rule. The ancient Tefillin he found were a source of fascination for other young members of the community, who were humbled to see this link to the past.

After attending an inspiring kosher chuppa in the community this spring, Yura committed to only marry someone Jewish. Yura has proudly chosen to uphold the rich personal legacy he discovered in his grandparent’s attic. He recently celebrated his bris milah, where he was presented with a new and kosher set of Tefillin, and he chose to be known by the name of Adam.

Regarding having a circumcision at 26 years of age, he said with humility, “I thought it over carefully before doing it. I know that I have not only fulfilled a great commandment and entered into an agreement with G-d, but I have done this for the future of our community.”