On the Seventh night of Chanukah, students and young professionals gathered in a rented out cafe for a Chanukah party. The party featured live Jewish music, fun games, socializing and of course a menorah lighting. Despite the snowy blizzard raging outside, the cafe was filled with 120 students.
On the last night of Chol Hamoed, over 70 college-aged students and young professionals gathered for an exciting Sukkos program. They enjoyed pizza, a competitive Sukkos contest, music, and socializing. For many of them this was their first time fulfilling the mitzvah of Lulav and Esrog and sitting in a Sukkah. Rabbi Chaim Danzinger shared a story of Sukkos and elaborated on the significance of this Yom Tov, encouraging everyone to become more involved in Judaism.
Some of these students joined us this past summer on our bi-annual Birthright (Taglit) trip to Israel, and are now proudly continuing their journey exploring their Jewish roots.
In August, 40 Jewish students from Rostov experienced the trip of a lifetime going to Israel on a 10 day Birthright trip (Taglit). This was the second time this year that such a group was sent from Rostov, and plans are already underway for an upcoming trip this winter.
It was an incredible experience for them! They visited Safed, Tiberias, the Dead Sea as well as many other cities… The highlight of their trip was a Shabbat spent in Jerusalem and their visit to the Western Wall. Most of them experienced Shabbat for the first time, and came back with a real sense of Jewish pride.
Since their arrival back in Rostov many have started attending Shabbat services Friday night and about 10 of them have joined our STARS Judaism course.
A small Motzei Shabbos Farbrengen with some of Rostov’s Jewish Students… offering them a chance to meet the Rabbi and discuss matters pertaining to Jewish customs and observance.
