Forty-nine
WUPJ congregations exist in Ukraine,
all of which are appropriately registered with relevant state authorities.
Twenty-eight of these operate a full range of activities, said Rabbi Dukhovny, and
the remainder offer selected programs. WUPJ subsidizes only two of these
congregations, Hatikvah in Kyiv and the Progressive congregation in Yevpatoriya.
Seven congregations have their own physical premises, usually pre-war
synagogues that were restored to the Jewish community after being used for
other purposes in past decades. Rabbi Dukhovny observed that possession of
physical premises often brings Jewish businessmen into the community because
they see an actual structure that they can develop and maintain.
Congregational twinning programs with congregations in the West usually
are key components in the success of various local congregations, noted Rabbi
Dukhovny. The additional funds that these relationships generate often enable
local groups to offer programs that they could not otherwise support. About 20
WUPJ congregations in western countries assist Ukrainian congregations in
this manner, Rabbi Dukhovny said; however, some such relationships are more
active than others.
Odesa, said Rabbi Dukhovny, probably will be the next WUPJ
congregation to be assigned a rabbi. The Odesa WUPJ congregation is very
active, led by a five-person board, four of whose members are returnees from
Israel. In response to a question, Rabbi Dukhovny stated that three
Russian-speaking Reform/Progressive rabbinical students are enrolled at the Abraham Geiger College in Potsdam and one is studying at Leo Baeck
Rabbinic Training Seminary in London.
Notwithstanding
continuing efforts by some Orthodox rabbis to delegitimize Progressive/Reform
Judaism, Rabbi Dukhovny believes that liberal Judaism is increasingly
accepted as an authentic expression of the Jewish faith. He noted that
he has been asked to lead community services at Babi Yar, lead Jewish education
programs for employees of the Joint Distribution Committee, and teach in Limmud.
The
JDC connection is evident, Rabbi Dukhovny continued, in the growing
activism of a number of hesed directors across Ukraine in local WUPJ
congregations. In fact, said Rabbi Dukhovny, five hesed directors are chairmen
of Progressive congregations. In some cases, Rabbi Dukhovny noted, WUPJ
congregations with foreign sponsors are able to recruit these supporters to
contribute to hesed welfare programs as well.
In
response to a question, Rabbi Dukhovny said that WUPJ in Ukraine will hold a
two-session summer camp in Crimea, each encampment enrolling about 100
youngsters between the ages of 13 and 17 for a session of eight to ten days. Both
sessions have waiting lists, stated Rabbi Dukhovny. A significant operating
subsidy is provided by the Dutch Jewish Humanitarian Fund (Joods
Humanitair Fonds), but families are asked to
pay $62 per camper per session. Rabbi Dukhovny noted that efforts are made to
develop leadership among the older campers and, indeed, some youngsters between
the ages of 15 and 17 actually lead services at camp and in their home
congregations.
Rabby Dukhovny stated that he is pleased with the accomplishments of
the Reform/Progressive movement in Ukraine. At age 60, he continued, he is
beginning to think about retirement, but has not yet determined his plans for
the future.
72.
The Masorti/Conservative movement maintains a center within the premises
of the Ukrainian Vaad in Kyiv. Although no rabbi currently is in residence at
the center, that situation is expected to change in early 2012 when a
Russian-speaking student currently completing studies at the Israeli Masorti
seminary in Jerusalem is ordained as a rabbi and then moves to Kyiv. In the
meantime, the Kyiv Masorti center operates a number of programs led by
individuals trained in Masorti teaching seminars and other programs.
Vladimir Sapiro is the lead Hebrew teacher in a Masorti ulpan
offering four different levels of instruction as well as a conversation group.
In total, about 60 adults are enrolled in these classes, said Mr. Sapiro. Finding
existing Hebrew-language textbooks unsuitable for Russian-speakers, Mr.
Sapiro is currently writing his own series of texts. To date, he has completed
four volumes and is working on volumes five and six. The series is accompanied
by a compact disc so that the student can hear native Hebrew spoken well, said
Mr. Sapiro. Each textbook, he continued, also includes information about
Torah, Jewish history, Jewish literature, and related subjects.
Vladimir
Sapiro, left, is the lead Hebrew teacher in the Masorti kehilla in Kyiv and
also the author of a textbook series for Hebrew-language students.
Photo: the writer.
In
addition to offering Hebrew classes, the Masorti center operates a family
Sunday school that is attended by about 50 families, celebrates all Jewish
holidays, and organizes Shabbat observances about once monthly. Many
participants, continued Mr. Sapiro, are individuals who are just discovering
their Jewish heritage. More activities are held in warmer weather, Mr. Sapiro
stated, because Masorti groups then are able to hold events outdoors, escaping
the crowded confines of the Vaad. The atmosphere at all of these events
usually is very good, very comfortable, said Mr. Sapiro.
It
is anticipated, said Mr. Sapiro, that the movement will move to larger premises
when the rabbi arrives. Although the Vaad offices are new and clean, they are
not optimally organized for Masorti activities and space is very limited.
Masorti
operates a summer camp, Ramah Yachad, in the Carpathian Mountains.
Prior to sessions for youngsters and for family groups, Mr. Sapiro and staff
from Midreshet Yerushalayim, the Russian-language division of the Schechter
Institute in Jerusalem, will lead a seminar for teachers in Masorti Sunday schools
and ulpans.
Madrichim (leaders) for Ramah Yachad and for Masorti youth
clubs are trained in a special Masorti leadership development program, Mr.
Sapiro said. Most are selected from campers at Ramah Yachad.
The writer observed 12
to 15 university students and older high school pupils in a session of a Masorti
leadership development course. In the photo at right, participants were
learning ice-breaker activities, such as describing an oddly-shaped piece of
metal and sug-gesting possible uses for it. They also lined up according to
shoe size and explored other ways of introducing people to each other and
initiating con-versations.
Photo: the writer.
|