In early June, 150 Jewish teenagers and counselors from across Russia gathered for a four-day regional EnerJew seminar, centered around a vibrant and inspiring Shabbaton. The event was held at the Jewish campus in Istra, near Moscow, and welcomed participants from over 15 cities.

The seminar began in the heart of Moscow with a special meeting between the youth and Russia’s Chief Rabbi, Berel Lazar. For the first time, the seminar also included a guided educational tour of Jewish heritage sites in Moscow, accompanied by an interactive game that helped participants explore the key elements of Jewish community life—schools, synagogues, kosher stores, mikvahs, and more.

The Istra campus hosted an engaging lineup of classes and discussions led by young rabbis, team-building activities with counselors, outdoor excursions, attractions, sports, and high-quality accommodations. Among the highlights was a competitive learning initiative on Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers), organized by Rabbi Gavriel Shalamov. The teens responded enthusiastically, enjoying both the content and the challenge.

In an effort to encourage continued involvement in Jewish learning and community programs, the seminar also featured a special expo showcasing various Jewish institutions and projects. These included the Jewish University, Machon Chamesh, Yeshiva programs, and the activities of the YAHAD student organization.

The seminar – participated by jewish teenagers from Moscow, Petersburg, Volgograd, Saratov, Orenburg, Yekaterinburg, Perm, Vladimir, Voronezh, Samara, Tolyatti, Ulyanovsk, Chelyabinsk, and several other cities – was coordinated by Natella Epstein together with Rabbi Avraham Denisov. Rabbi Alexander Raskin, a representative of the STARS organization, participated in the Shabbaton.

EnerJew director Rabbi Yaakov Sominski shared: “It was deeply moving to witness the strong bond the teens have with the content, with each other, and with the EnerJew team. It’s clear that EnerJew has become an integral part of their lives—their warm home. They felt completely at ease and embraced every moment with youthful excitement.”