A selected group of EnerJew teenagers from Russian Petersburg recently took part in a meaningful educational journey to Georgia, bringing together participants from the city’s three EnerJew clubs for four-days of Jewish learning, community bonding, travel, and shared experiences.

The program was designed to deepen the teens’ connection to Jewish identity, strengthen their sense of belonging to the Jewish people and local community, and create lasting friendships through a combination of meaningful content and engaging activities. Throughout the journey, participants explored Georgia’s landscapes and history while also discovering the rich Jewish story of Tbilisi and its community life today.

The group visited historic and scenic sites including Uplistsikhe museum, Borjomi, Tbilisi’s Old City, the Kura River, the Bridge of Peace, and local synagogues, including the central synagogue, Chabad House, and Beit Rachel Synagogue. Alongside the tours, the teens took part in discussions about Jewish values, the significance of important Jewish dates, the study of Mishnayot by heart, and the role of personal responsibility in Jewish life.

A central highlight of the journey was a warm and uplifting Shabbaton experience. The teens prepared for Shabbat together, joined candle lighting, Kabbalat Shabbat, Torah learning, festive meals, and a meaningful Chassidic gathering with Rabbi Shalom Pewzner and Rabbi Bentzi Lipsker, who accompanied the group and responded to participants’ questions, and with local Chabad emissary Rabbi Meir Kozlovsky.

Shabbat also included group walks, personal conversations with counselors, interactive learning connected to the weekly Torah portion, and a moving Havdalah ceremony that left a strong impression on the participants.

The journey also offered time for team-building and recreation, including nature hikes, jeep touring, sports activities, karting, paddle, a traditional Georgian dance performance, and group reflection sessions. Participants were encouraged to share feedback, set positive personal resolutions, and carry the inspiration of the trip back into their everyday lives.

By the end of the journey, the EnerJew Petersburg teens returned home with strengthened friendships, new Jewish knowledge, meaningful memories, and renewed motivation to remain active in Jewish life throughout the year.