The Ulyanovsk J-Teen travel camp was the first teenager travel camp in all of Russia! 10 teenagers from Ulyanovsk and Penza joined Rabbi Marozov, the Chief Rabbi of Ulyanovsk, for a trip to Moscow and St. Petersburg.

 

This incredible trip was a combination of professional lectures, touring and exploring Jewish institutions, and sightseeing all the famous cultural sites.

 

In Moscow, the teenagers enjoyed excursions to the Kremlin, Red Square, the Army Museum and many beautiful sightseeing spots throughout the city.

 

They also spent a large amount of time at Jewish historical and modern places. They visited all four major synagogues, the Jewish Museum, the Holocaust Museum, a number of Jewish schools, Jewish community centers, the Jewish clinic, the Jewish orphanage, the Jewish humanitarian center, and kosher stores.

 

They were also treated to fun exciting activities! They went skating, laser tag, bowling and more.

 

They ate three daily nutritious meals at various kosher restaurants!

 

The main goal of this trip was educational. Every morning began with a lecture in Judaism by various Rabbis and professional lecturers in Moscow and St Petersburg. Throughout the day, they heard stories and parables from the Talmud by Rabbi Yosef Marozov.

 

In St Petersburg, the youngsters were lucky to have Rabbi Professor Alexander Lakshin as their historical guide and lecturer. Rabbi Lakshin was a professional guide in St. Petersburg during the soviet times for important dignitaries.

 

The youth had a city tour, tour of the Great Choral Synagogue, the Hermitage Museum, the Peter and Paul fortress, and the Summer Palace. They spent time at museums, parks, walks, the zoo and a number of boat rides through the canals.

 

On the train traveling from Moscow to St Petersburg, all the boys learned how to don Tefillin on their own! Three boys have already ordered their own pair of Tefillin!

 

The ten teenagers returned from the trip with a strong connection to each other, their community, and their heritage! Many are now seriously considering going to Moscow or St. Petersburg, to learn in a Jewish University, after they complete high school. They are all excited to continue the weekly J-teen Program and to attend Kabbalat Shabbat!

 

The J-Teen travel camp is supported by the L.A. Pincus fund for Jewish Education in the Diaspora, Israel, the Ulyanovsk board of trustees, and the Federation of Jewish Communities in Russia, headed by Chief Rabbi, Berel Lazar.