110 Jewish Ukrainian Teens Celebrate Bar and Bat Mitzvah Milestone at EnerJew Retreat
Bar and Bat Mitzvah boys and girls from across Ukraine gathered for a moving four-day retreat in the Carpathian Mountains, marking the conclusion of a special year-long preparation program organized by EnerJew, the FJC’s Jewish youth movement in the FSU. The seminar, held at the Belle-Royal Hotel in a peaceful mountain setting, brought together 110 young graduates of the Bar and Bat Mitzvah course for a long weekend of Jewish learning, friendship, celebration, and personal growth.
The retreat began on Thursday morning with an unexpected and emotional discovery: Misha, a student from Kyiv’s Simcha Jewish school, was celebrating his 13th Hebrew birthday that very day. His personal milestone gave the entire seminar — and especially the central Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebration held that evening — a deeply tangible and festive meaning. During the gala evening, which included a festive meal and live music, participants watched video blessings from rabbis of their home communities, where the preparation programs had taken place. Each child also received a personal surprise video message from parents or loved ones, creating moments of warmth, connection, and visible emotion.
One of the highlights of the celebration was the presentation of tefillin to the boys and Shabbat candle-lighting candlesticks to the girls. “It was moving to see how the Bar and Bat Mitzvah boys and girls suddenly became young adults, taking upon themselves the steady fulfillment of a mitzvah,” said Rabbi Moshe Weber of Dnipro, who accompanied the project throughout the year in Ukraine. “This is a powerful expression of the transition from childhood to maturity — a moment in which Jewish pride, identity, and belonging become something real and practical.”
At the center of the program was an uplifting Shabbaton filled with singing, festive Shabbat meals, quizzes, group games, Chassidic gatherings, inspiring prayers, and personal resolutions to continue spreading Jewish light in their communities.
Throughout the retreat – attended by Rabbi Shlomo Neeman, FJC Educational Director; Rabbi Simcha Levenhartz, director of JRNU; Rabbi Shlomo Solomon, Rabbi of Kremenchug; and Rabbi Moshe Weber of Dnipro and led by EnerJew Ukraine Coordinator Lena Kovylova – the teenagers took part in engaging Jewish studies sessions using special booklets prepared by the EnerJew team, alongside swimming, sports, meaningful prayer services, social activities, and high-quality hospitality. The participants also created and presented short Jewish films as part of a special film festival, with the winning group receiving an “Oscar” prize.
Another memorable experience was a trip to the historic city of Mukachevo, where the teens combined visits to Jewish and historical sites with enjoyable attractions, concluding a retreat that strengthened their knowledge, confidence, and sense of Jewish connection.
