HILLEL KHARKOV (UKRAINE): REGIONAL SEMINAR

Friday 16 November 2007

REGIONAL SEMINAR

On the 8-11 100 students from Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia and Azerbaijan took part in Hillel Regional Seminar in Kharkov. The seminar was devoted to the history, traditions and original culture of Shteitl – small Jewish cities. The programs of the seminar consisted of two programs ‘Shteitl’ and ‘Shteitlcraft’ which were developed specially for this seminar and simulated life of shteitl; the lectures about history and culture of shteitl; the work of art studios where the students had a chance to try traditional handcrafts; ceremonies of Shabath and Havdalah; preparative classes for Hannukah coordinators; funny programs; traditional havurots and dance parties. Participants knew works of two Kharkov painters Vadim Koltun and Elena Kotlyar devoted to shteitl. All the students joint their efforts and created original homelike atmosphere of Jewish shteitl at the seminar.

PICTURES

HILLEL KHARKOV

Kharkov Hillel is a part of the World Jewish Student Organization Hillel which aims are involving Jewish Youth to the process of reviving Jewish Community life, bringing up new generation of Jewish leaders, studying Jewish history, religion, tradition and culture forming the self-consciousness of the young Jewish. Kharkov Hillel was opened in 1997 and since then it has grown up from a small group of enthusiasts into a big organization which unites more then 400 people. Today Kharkov Hillel - it is studying of Judaism and Jewish World in all its diversity; the ceremonies of Shabbath and Havdala, holding holiday projects and programs devoted to the events from the Jewish calendar. There are studios and programs in Hillel such as: Jewish tradition, Hebrew, Drama, Jewish dance, Vocal group, Psychology, English, German, Shaping, ‘School of leaders’, fashion studio ‘Esther’, videoproject, White theater’ lightpainting studio, where the students can develop and show their talents. It has become a good tradition to hold the annual holiday projects (Pesach and Purim) together with Hillel students from Washington when the students hold Peasch Seders and programs, give performances, visit elderly and needy people, learn about Jewish life of Kharkov and region. Together with the students from the International Jewish College Corps (project of the American Jewish World Service) our Kharkov students clean up the territory of the Jewish graveyard and do other work useful for the Community. Alternative Summer Break – project of Michigan and Kharkov Hillel supported by AJJDC ‘Joint’ when the students repair houses of elderly Jews and Jews in need. Hillel - is an opportunity to meet young people from other cities and countries; to take part in the work of interesting seminars and make trips around CIS countries, Israel and the USA. Hillel is an inalienable part of Kharkov Jewish Community, one of the active participants of the process of reviving the Jewish Community life in the city. Collaborating closely with other Jewish organizations of the city Hillel volunteers envelop with their work all the layers of Jewish population. These are family programs and ‘Family camps’ programs for veterans, elderly and needy people, the programs for school children, kids and children at risk. One of the main tasks of Hillel is to bring up the young Jewish leaders and today many Hillel students work in different Jewish organizations of the city. Hillel represents worthily Jewish Community in the cultural and public life of the city.Youth - is the future of any nation and the main aim of Hillel is to help Jewish nation to have perfect future.