Over one-hundred and ten Jewish students and young professionals from across Russia and the FSU completed a year of Jewish heritage study, leadership development, and hands-on community project training. Thirty-one of theses students enjoyed an inspiring week-long educational journey to Georgia, while the others joined the annual YAHAD trip that traveled earlier this year to Brazil.
Throughout the year, participants of the YAHAD youth movement, were encouraged not only to learn about Jewish identity, history, and tradition, but also to translate that learning into meaningful action within their local communities. Working in cooperation with their local rabbis, Chabad Houses, and communal leaders, the students developed and implemented a range of initiatives addressing the preservation and transmission of Jewish memory, culture, and heritage.
This year’s program included more than 110 participants from 16 communities, who created 38 community projects. Among them were initiatives dedicated to intergenerational connection, family history, Jewish education, women’s programming, volunteering, and innovative digital tools.
In Yekaterinburg, students recorded interviews with senior community members and created educational materials to strengthen the “Connection of Generations.” In Khabarovsk, participants designed and installed a “Tree of Life” memorial wall in the synagogue, helping community members preserve the names and yahrzeit dates of their loved ones.
Other projects focused on making Jewish life more accessible and engaging for younger audiences. A group of YAHAD Jewell participants developed a Jewish Telegram bot offering information about Jewish history, traditions, mitzvot, prayer times, candle lighting, holidays, and personalized reminders. Within just five days of launch, the bot had already attracted approximately 230 users.
Another YAHAD Jewell team created “History of My Heritage,” a digital family-questionnaire book designed to help families record and pass down their Jewish stories. In Petersburg, the SKR•M project brought together young women around Jewish lifestyle, creativity, modesty, kosher food, and friendship, forming a warm and supportive community.
Several initiatives also addressed practical community responsibility. Through the “Food That Changes the World for the Better” project, students organized food collection and redistribution efforts, partnered with charitable organizations, and inspired young volunteers to become more mindful and active in helping others.
In Birobidzhan, the “Ma Eifo Matai” project created a platform for adults ages 29–45 to connect through intellectual games, lectures, holiday learning, and Jewish cultural events.
“After a full year of Jewish heritage study, leadership training, and learning how to build practical community initiatives, these students have shown that young Jews are not only participants in communal life — they are becoming its creators,” said Rabbi Mendy Wilansky, Director of YAHAD. “Their projects reflect a deep commitment to Jewish continuity, responsibility, and connection between generations.”
