By COLlive Staff

For Jewish teenagers growing up in Ukraine under the constant strain of the war with Russia, quiet has become a rare experience.

Last weekend, hundreds of Jewish boys and girls from communities across Ukraine traveled to the peaceful Carpathian Mountains for a special Bar and Bas Mitzvah retreat organized by Chabad Shluchim through the EnerJew youth organization.

The gathering gave the teenagers something many had not experienced in months: a chance to step away from missile alerts, uncertainty, and the stress of daily life in cities under regular attack.

Participants arrived from major communities including Kyiv, Dnipro, Kremenchuk, and other areas affected by the ongoing conflict.

Among them was a teenage girl from Kyiv whose home was directly damaged during one of the recent missile strikes on the capital. For her and many of the other participants, spending time in the quiet mountain region, far from explosions and sirens, offered a first opportunity to process recent experiences in a calm and supportive environment.

The retreat centered around celebrating the milestone of becoming Bar and Bas Mitzvah in an atmosphere of joy, inspiration, and Jewish pride.

One of the highlights took place shortly after arrival, with separate Bar and Bas Mitzvah celebrations for the boys and girls. Each participant received a meaningful personal gift marking the occasion: the boys were presented with elegant sets of tefillin, while the girls received silver Shabbos candlesticks.

The year-long preparation and personal guidance for the participants was led by Chabad Shluchim working throughout Ukraine, including Rabbi Moshe Weber, Rabbi Shlomo Salmon of Kremenchuk, and Rabbi Simcha Levnehertz of Kyiv, together with a broader team of dedicated counselors and staff who led educational and social programming throughout the weekend.

“The days away were calm and restorative for the teenagers,” said Rabbi Weber, who has accompanied the Bar Mitzvah project over the years. “We learned together, celebrated together, farbrenged together, and danced together. Every moment was used meaningfully. The physical arrangements were done generously and every project was made accessible in the best possible way for the boys and girls.”

He described the grand mitzvah meal as one of the most memorable moments of the weekend, with participants also receiving video greetings and blessings from Shluchim across Ukraine.

Rabbi Weber added that some teenagers were unable to attend due to security concerns.

“We made sure they could participate remotely through Zoom,” he said. “They were physically far away, but very close in heart.”

Throughout Shabbos, participants disconnected completely from the realities waiting back home.

“From the beginning of Shabbos until it ended, there was an atmosphere of elevation,” Rabbi Weber reflected. “Niggunim, dancing, happiness. You could see it on their faces. The girls had inspiring programming led by devoted counselors. Every Bar and Bas Mitzvah child left with a spiritual gift that will stay with them for life, G-d willing.”