Russian Teens’ Trip Connected Them to Their Heritage

As the sun set over the Western Wall, casting a deep red glow across the ancient stones of the Old City, Esti from Riga, Latvia, stood in awe. At 17, she had never imagined she’d be here, singing together with thousands of other Jews as they welcomed the Shabbos together.

As the sun set over the Western Wall, casting a deep red glow across the ancient stones of the Old City, Esti from Riga, Latvia, stood in awe. At 17, she had never imagined she’d be here, singing together with thousands of other Jews as they welcomed the Shabbos together. Let alone as part of a groundbreaking trip that would connect her to the wider world she had felt disconnected from.

Esti’s journey began in Riga, the Latvian capital, where most of the country’s small Jewish population resides. While Jewish life persists in her Baltic hometown, she sought connection with the wider Jewish world too. “During this trip, I wanted to meet and interact with new people from different parts of the world, as well as learn new things about Israel. It was fascinating to share experiences and learn from my international peers.”

The trip she spoke of was the first-ever CTeen Stand With Israel mission, a collaborative effort between CTeen – the International Chabad Teen Network – and the FJC’s EnerJew initiative, bringing together 40 girls from 18 cities across the former Soviet Union. “Spending time in the holy land, soaking in the atmosphere where the Jewish story is so deeply embedded, is a sure way to strengthen one’s Jewish pride and connection. For teens from the former Soviet Union, many of whom are among the few Jewish teens in their cities, this was a critical opportunity,” said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, executive director of Merkos 302, CTeen’s umbrella organization.

“The goal of this trip is to provide an empowering experience for these children by connecting them with their Jewish heritage in Israel,” Rabbi Aizik Rosenfeld, one of the trip’s organizers, and Director of Loft Lubavitch Center in Moscow, explained. “During the year, EnerJew clubs throughout the FSU interact with one another, but this trip offers a rare opportunity for these kids to meet teens from countries across the globe. A journey to Israel, infused with the spirit of Chabad, inspires the teens to be proud Jews back home.”

As Esti and her newfound friends made their way through Jerusalem, the weight of recent events hung in the air. With Israel still reeling from the October 7th attacks and the ensuing war, the country’s mood was a complex mixture of resilience, grief, and determination.

Led by Rabbi Dovid Aba of Chabad B’aliyah Jerusalem and head counselor Liora Klimenko, The group’s itinerary reflected their commitment to learning about their heritage and taking an active role in the community. At the Efrat Association, the girls prepared gift sets with baby products for pregnant women facing various medical and economic challenges. At Magen David Adom, they learned about the organization’s crucial role during the recent conflict and helped organize ambulance equipment.

Journeying through Israel’s past and present continued, further activities designed to deepen their connection to Israel and their Jewish heritage included participating in archaeological digs at Emek Tzurim and volunteering with families displaced by the current war.

As the journey came to an end, Esther, a 15-year-old participant from Belarus, reflected on her experience: “It is not easy to be a Jewish teenager in my city. But here in Israel, we went to welcome Shabbat at the Western wall, where there were so many Jews it was hard to believe this was just a small number of the people I proudly belong to.”

Inspired to bring the experience into their everyday life back home, the Mission To Israel saw participants enhance their Jewish life in various ways. “I bought Tehilim in Hebrew and plan to study Hebrew diligently in the coming years,” said Luisa from Saratov, Russia. While Elina from Riga said, “I started lighting candles every Shabbat and convinced my parents to separate milk and meat when we move.”

For the 40 teenage girls from across the former Soviet Union, the CTeen Stand With Israel mission embodied Jewish pride and unity. Connecting with strangers who became like their new family, the girls delved deep into their people’s past, and took home lessons of faith and resilience to continue their own Jewish practice and leadership.

«EnerJew» is the Chabad Jewish youth movement by the Federation of Jewish Communities in the FSU (FJC), operating over 70 clubs in different cities across the Former Soviet Union.

With 811 chapters in 63 countries and 6 continents, CTeen, the Chabad Teen Network, is the world’s largest network of Jewish teens. Launched in 2013, CTeen Summer has given thousands of Jewish teens the opportunity to travel, learn, and connect with other Jewish teens from around the world. The program aims to help teens develop leadership skills, build friendships, and learn about their Jewish heritage.

Photo Credit: ENERJEW / Albina Kollen