By Tehila Reuben, Masorti Olami and MERCAZ Olami’s Deputy Director

For over a decade, their leadership seminar has been an annual tradition for our Masorti/Conservative communities in Ukraine. This year, Masorti Olami was honored to participate for the first time, and I had the privilege of representing our organization in my first trip to our communities in the country.

Encouraged by Rabbi Irina Gritsevskaya, Director of Midreshet Schechter, I joined over 35 dedicated leaders from our communities in Chernivtsi, Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Odessa for a four-day seminar. Our goals were ambitious and essential: to build stronger connections, learn about each community’s unique activities, and develop strategies for greater collaboration across Ukraine and with the broader global Masorti/Conservative movement.

After a 13+ hour journey through Romania and then crossing the border into Ukraine (along with our NOAM Olami International Bear, Dubi NOAM, brought with us from Israel for his first trip to visit NOAM Ukraine, where he will spend some time getting to know the different branches), we were warmly welcomed by participants—some of whom had traveled more than 15 hours by train. Having worked remotely with these communities for over six years, especially during the turbulent times since the war in Ukraine began, finally meeting these resilient leaders in person was both moving and deeply meaningful.

The seminar opened with team-building activities led by NOAM Ukraine, followed by a teaching session with Rabbi Gritsevskaya about Lag BaOmer and its significance—wisdom we later brought to life in a beautiful bonfire celebration by the lake, as we sang, danced, shared stories, and strengthened bonds under the stars.

I had the opportunity to present on the global Masorti/Conservative movement: our map of communities, organizational structure, and the work of our partners including MERCAZ, Marom, NOAM, and our rabbinical schools, and how we work with our partners in Israel and North America. We spoke about our different projects and ways we work in each region, and how we help support the network of communities around the globe. We explored how our Ukrainian communities fit into a larger global network that shares common values, challenges, and dreams. While it’s clear that the needs in our newest region of Ukraine are different, it was inspiring to see how much of an interest there was to learn about daily life in our other communities, especially some of the more unique communities like Uganda.

Friday brought another highlight: a workshop led by Alex Shmidt, Director of JDC Ukraine, focusing on team-building and collaborative leadership, giving us the opportunity to deepen our understanding of how to work and plan together as a team.

Shabbat was brought in with a spirited and musical Kabbalat Shabbat before Shabbat started, led by NOAM Ukraine madrichim and leaders, followed by a delicious dinner, and a much-needed informal relaxed oneg Shabbat.

The next day was filled with small-group learning, where we delved into the weekly Torah portion and explored its relevance to our leadership roles. We brainstormed future projects and spent meaningful time deepening relationships and understanding the unique challenges and strengths of each community. Personally, it was a gift to finally connect face-to-face with people I had only known through screens and pictures, hearing and learning about their current reality in Ukraine.

Shabbat concluded with a musical Havdalah ceremony—one I’d seen in pictures for years but was grateful to be welcomed by such a warm group of people and experience in person.

On the final day, we focused on practical planning: how to enhance the “Masorti Ukraine” national identity through a shared website, social media presence, and joint programming. Strengthening this network remains a top priority for us, and we are committed to supporting, translating, and developing resources tailored to Ukraine’s needs.

The day closed with creative masterclasses and a reflective and productive feedback circle led and guided by Rabbi Gritsevskaya. It was hard to say goodbye to the 35 new friends I had made as they departed for their long journeys back to Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Odessa, and those who returned to Chernivtsi.

The next evening, I had the honor and privilege of being invited to visit the Chernivtsi community in person and meet some of the community members for an evening program I led on the global Masorti/Conservative movement. Before the program, community leader Lev Kleiman generously guided me through the city’s long and rich Jewish history, visiting some of the historical Jewish sites, synagogues and learning about the history of the city.

Meeting the community of Chernivtsi, which today has welcomed many refugees who fled from other parts of Ukraine since the start of Russia’s invasion in 2022, was a profound experience and the perfect way to end my trip. Once again I was inspired to see how much interest there is in our work around the world, and that even during some of the darkest times for their country, they [hopefully] realize they have an entire movement supporting them.

Working so closely with our Ukrainian communities, together with our partners at Schechter, has been a privilege that was only reinforced after this visit. Despite the unimaginable hardships they face daily, their passion for Jewish life and commitment to their communities is nothing short of inspirational. I am appreciative of the incredibly warm welcome I received, and left feeling truly motivated and inspired.

We are deeply grateful to Rabbi Irina Gritsevskaya for her leadership and partnership in building Masorti Jewish life in Ukraine. We are lucky to have you!

Thank you also to the incredible translators who supported me throughout the week—you know who you are! I promise to learn more than just two words in Ukrainian before my next visit.

And finally, thank you to the participants and seminar organizers for welcoming me so warmly into your community. You are doing the sacred work of sustaining Masorti Jewish life in Ukraine—and we are proud to support you.

Click here to help support our ongoing efforts in Ukraine.