Breaking Down Barriers
KIEV from page 7
he Perfect Location for:
* Bar & Bat Mitzvahs • Weddings
• Corporate Meetings • Class Reunions
•
Young leaders from Michigan, Israel and the Ukraine gather with
new friends for a portrait.
•
For more information, contact
the Troy Marriott 5ates Office:
48):.60. , 9797
200
Mt.e.eAX .
NFWB
ahebait
I
atio+t,
Dates:
January 4th 10th, 2001
Place:
West Bloomfield High School Cafeteria
Time:
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
For more information or questions call
1/5
2001
10
(248) 865-6392
groups concerns melted as we entered
the Progressive Jewish Community
Kindergarten. Greeted with faces of
children playing, singing and dancing,
they clamored for our attention just as
if we were in our own children's class-
es. Two full-day kindergarten classes
are offered as part of the Progressive
(Reform) Jewish movement's effort to
educate its youth. From Judaic contact
to traditional studies, these children
shared their zeal for the holidays, their
passion for learning and their enjoy-
ment of being Jewish.
Chanukah songs, handmade decora-
tions, dreidels and latkes — if I closed
my eyes, I was at home in my son's
class at Temple Israel in West
Bloomfield.
At the Sunflower Jewish Center of
Kiev, we experienced firsthand how
this one organization, an incubator of
sorts, gathers Jewish energy in Kiev
and channels it into productive and
attractive activities that benefit the
entire. community
As the day drew to a close, our
entire group once again ventured dif-
ferent ways as we prepared for
Kabbalat Shabbat. Some joined Aish
Ha Torah or Makor for more tradi-
tional services, others visited Kinor
(liberal) or HaTikvah, part of the
Progressive Judaism movement.
As we approached Congregation
HaTikvah, we realized that despite
having been transformed into a play-
house and social center during its
100-year history, this building is
once again being used by Jews as a
place of worship.
Rabbi Alexander Dukhovny, spiri-
tual leader of the Progressive
(Reform) Judaism movement in
Ukraine, took special pride in shar-
ing Shabbat with us.
As three children were invited to
help light the Shabbat candles, we
could feel the warmth. Singing togeth-
er in Hebrew, we realized once again
how fortunate we were to be able to
practice our faith in a city that once
prohibited even the slightest mention
of such ideas.
DAY 3: DEC. 23, 2000
A
bit overwhelmed, we realized
how much we had seen and
done during the last two days.
Shabbat would be an opportunity to
absorb our travels, reflect on our expe-
riences and discuss our future.
In the brisk morning air, everyone
joined together for a walk to the
Great (Brodsky) Synagogue, a well-
known Orthodox congregation in
Kiev. It opened in 1898, was closed
by Soviet authorities in 1926 and re-
opened, thanks to Chabad-Lubavitch
efforts, in 1997.
As the Torah was taken from the
ark, Lubavitch Rabbi Moshe-Reuven
Azman explained our group's presence
to the congregation. For some, this
was a regular activity they enjoyed
each week. For others, it was more for-
eign. As the words touched our souls,
we realized that despite our differ-
ences, we shared something unique:
being Jewish.
This thought fueled our discussion
of the future. Although the program
was designed for a year, it was evident
our connection will last a lifetime.
Each of us talked about specific ideas
and unique talents we could offer. Our
minds worked together as we agreed
upon various project ideas to connect
all three communities. Not all will
succeed, but those that do will gener-
ate other ideas, other groups and other
connections.
Our trip may be over, but our work
to ensure the future of the Michigan,
Central Galilee and Kiev Jewish com-
munities is just beginning. ❑