- July 7, 2025
- 12:42 am
- Ukraine
In early July, the final seminar of the educational program “Bar/Bat Mitzvah Upgrade” took place in Dnipro, organized by the international project Enerjew with the support of the charitable organization JRNU.
Over three months of preparation, 70 teenagers from 10 Ukrainian cities didn’t just study traditions—they became part of a living Judeo-Ukrainian story, strengthening their connection with Israel.
On July 4, 2025, the Jewish Community of Dnipro announced this on their website here.
The Enerjew Project and the JRNU Charity
Enerjew (founded in 2022) is an educational and cultural initiative aimed at nurturing Jewish identity among young people across Ukraine. To date, the project has held over 15 online seminars and 5 regional gatherings, reaching more than 500 participants.
JRNU (Jewish Relief Network Ukraine) is a charity operating since 2018. JRNU provides humanitarian aid, organizes volunteer campaigns, and supports educational projects within Jewish communities nationwide.
All-Ukrainian Shabbat event united 70 Jewish teens from various Ukrainian cities — NAnews Israel News, July 7, 2025
The “Bar/Bat Mitzvah Upgrade” Program
The program is designed for 13–15-year-olds and includes three key phases:
- Three months of theoretical training: Jewish history, fundamentals of the Torah, and practical Hebrew lessons.
- Practical tasks and volunteering: assisting Jewish communities, participating in JRNU charity projects, and family-led initiatives.
- Final seminar (Shabbaton): spiritual sessions, quizzes, creative workshops, and a trip to the Carpathians.
Preparation Structure
| Phase | Format & Content |
|---|---|
| Online Seminars | 8 sessions covering history, Torah, and Hebrew practice |
| Regional Offsites | 3 large-scale events in different oblasts |
| JRNU Volunteer Activities | Support for shelters, Shabbat programs, fundraising |
| Home Projects | Research papers, essays, and presentations |
| Final Shabbaton | Shabbat meal, quests, creative assignments, Carpathian hike |
Final Shabbaton Highlights
On July 4, participants gathered in Dnipro. The program included presentations on home projects, quests, quizzes about Jewish holidays, and creative workshops. The Shabbat meal was held according to tradition—filled with the aroma of challah and melodies in Hebrew and Yiddish. The day concluded with a hike in the Carpathians, where friends strengthened their bonds.
Finalist Awards
Of the seven Dnipro participants, four reached the final round: two presented at the main event, and two received special awards from Rabbi Shmuel Kaminecky. All finalists were given symbolic gifts:
- Boys — tefillin, a siddur, and tzitzit;
- Girls — a silver candlestick, a siddur, and tzitzit.
Significance for Ukraine and Israel
The “Bar/Bat Mitzvah Upgrade” program strengthens cultural and spiritual ties between Jewish youth in Ukraine and Israel, cultivates new community leaders, and fosters ongoing experience sharing via the Enerjew platform and JRNU initiatives.
NAnews – Israel News continues to follow the development of this and other Judeo-Ukrainian projects.
