- November 25, 2024
- 8:33 pm
- Ukraine
At the end of November, a unique all-Ukrainian conference started in the Ukrainian city of Truskavets Active Jewish Teens (AJT)which brought together 180 teenagers with Jewish roots from 28 cities of Ukraine, as well as guests from Israel. The event dedicated to the 10th anniversary of AJT was an important milestone in the development of non-formal Jewish education.
The organizers emphasized that the purpose of the conference is not only to sum up the work of AJT, but also to attract young people to active participation in the life of Jewish communities, as well as the formation of new leaders.
“AJT is not just a youth movement. You are shaping future Jewish leaders who will develop our communities in Ukraine,” said Alex Schmidt, director of JDC programs in Ukraine.
Key events of the conference
The event began with a ceremonial flag walk and presentation of all 14 participating clubs, which created an atmosphere of unity and celebration.
Over the course of four days, teenagers were treated to a rich program:
- Lectures and master classes in nine areas including art, psychology, leadership, history and tradition.
- Bar Mitzvah Ceremony for eight teenagers, symbolizing the transition into adult Jewish life.
- Club competition with a selection of the best projects.
- AJT Ambassadors Selectionwhich will represent the movement at the international level.
Master class topics
| Direction | Examples of activities |
|---|---|
| Art and dance | Master classes in painting and choreography |
| History and traditions | Lectures on Jewish holidays and culture |
| Leadership and PR | Creating a personal brand and managing teams |
| Psychology and volunteering | Secrets of working with people and developing empathy |
Particular attention was paid to the topic of Jewish identity and the role of AJT in the lives of teenagers.
“We are talking about those who have already become part of AJT history, and those who are creating it now. This is inspiring!” — shared Valeria Samoshina, coordinator of AJT in Ukraine.
AJT: a safe platform for the development of Jewish youth
Active Jewish Teens (AJT) is an international project that provides teenagers aged 13-17 with a space for communication, self-development and strengthening their Jewish identity.
Today, AJT clubs operate in more than 60 cities, including Ukraine, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Moldova. This project helps Jewish youth not only find like-minded people, but also actively participate in the life of their communities.
Ukraine and Israel: unification through common values
It is important for Israeli Jews to understand that Ukraine actively supports Jewish youth. In a difficult geopolitical situation, when Russia continues its aggression against Ukraine, events such as the AJT conference become a symbol of the unity of the Jewish and Ukrainian peoples.
The Jewish community in Ukraine, despite the war, remains strong thanks to projects like AJT. These initiatives help form a generation that will actively develop Jewish traditions and strengthen ties between Ukraine and Israel.
The United Jewish Community of Ukraine plays a key role in supporting such events, emphasizing the importance of non-formal education.
“AJT is about friendship, support and the values that unite us as a people,” the organizers add.
Conference results: what next?
The AJT conference in Truskavets was an important step in the development of Jewish youth. Forming future leaders, celebrating traditions and strengthening ties between the Jewish communities of Ukraine and Israel all highlight the uniqueness of the project.
Our editorial team “NAnews – Israel News expresses its sincere support for this initiative and is confident that AJT will continue to inspire teenagers to do great things.
Why is this important?
- For Israel: support for Ukrainian Jewish youth strengthens the connection between peoples.
- For Ukraine: Jewish projects become a symbol of the revival of traditions.
- For communities: AJT shapes the future by connecting generations.
This project is a shining example of how Jewish values can inspire unity even in the most difficult circumstances.
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