November 7^th 2010 was announced as Global Day of Jewish Learning.  And it was truly a Global Holiday as all over the world many events took place.

This event celebrates Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz’s completion of his 45-year quest to produce the first original Talmud commentary and translation since the Middle Ages.

In Odessa the most powerful celebration of Global Day of Jewish Learning took place in JCC “Migdal”.  That Sunday was full of surprises, various lectures and different events for all age groups.

Global Day of Jewish Learning in “Migdal” was opened by a wonderful lecture “Book, that wasn’t suppose to exist” given by Ber-Shmuel Kapulkin.  Lecture-room was full of people and even after it was over questions didn’t stop to come for another 15 minutes.  Tornado of questions was stopped only with the beginning of new lecture.  Rabbi Dovid Feldman was talking about “Talmud for Dummies”. It was the first time for most of people to learn about Talmud and to hear about the way Talmud is studied by Jewish men.

You may think that Global Day of Jewish Learning in JCC “Migdal” was only for older people.  But that is not so. Festival of Cartoons based on Jewish stories was mostly for kids though not that few grown-ups also participated in it.  As a result of the Festival, “Migdal” now has a gallery of wonderful cartoons: half done with pencil and half with the computer help.

Check out our website and you’ll get a chance to see some of the photos from that wonderful Global Day of Jewish Learning in JCC “Migdal”, Odessa.

Entering Migdal’s doors, I could hear loud children’s voices and could see movements all around. I stepped into the building during a break between aerobics for kids and youth. And this is not the only activity happening at one time.
One Sunday morning, the Migdal JCC welcomed about 140 people for various events.
I should warn that it was a regular weekend day and while children were dancing, adults were also busy. They either were in the family theater called “Pur Le Chance,” where parents and children unite for the synergy. In fact, actors were rehearsing for Limud, which is happening this week in Odessa in cooperation with Migdal. A play is performed based on Romain Gary’s novel “All Life Before Us.” Gary was a French novelist of Hebrew extraction who received The Goncourt Prize in 1975 for this novel.
The Migdal building, which is 101 years old, was originally a synagogue, then was used as a KGB in the Soviet times and finally given back to the Odessa Jewish community. Walking along its ancient hall, klezmer band music can be heard. That Sunday, Migdal also ran a photo lab, drawing exercises, programming, library meetings, traditions and Judaism courses.
Moreover, parents were there, meeting with famous people from an Odessa film studio for the “Interesting Cinematography” project in cooperation with the studio.
This is not the entire list of events. During the day, a group of 20 people worked on the 10th anniversary of Mazl Tov. A choir practiced, there was a seminar for future mothers and there was even a Jewish museum meeting.
That weekend was filled with integrity and intensive positive atmosphere, when everybody was in their right places. I would not have chosen to be in another place and time apart from the way it happened in fact.
Which events would you have chosen if you were in my place?

Learn more about Migdal.

http://theassociatedoverseas.wordpress.com/

Our heartiest congratulations to Marina Nahum (Sapritsky),

co-founder of Migdal International Society, on the birth of her child.

We are welcoming new member of your family, Elaijah Yehoshua Nahum to this world!

May your baby be blessed!

Congratulations!  Mazl Tov!

You want to discover your roots? Interested to feel connection with your ancestors’ homeland? Look forward meeting Jews from other countries (Ukraine, Russia, Germany, Israel, USA) in one place?

International Jewish camp “Halom” for the 14th time is welcoming new participants for the Camp – 2010!

You get a chance to spend wonderful week near the Black Sea, exploring family roots and finding connection with Jewish pals from all over the world. continue

It’s with profound sadness to hear that your father passed away. We want to express our deepest condolence to the death of your beloved father. It is always very hard to loose someone you are close to, but it is especially hard to loose the father. We wish you all the strength you need now to go through this hard time. Our prayers are with you, dear Dina and Jonathan, in this time of loss.  G-d bless you all.

Our deepest sympathy goes to all members of the Leader family in this time of grief. May the family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Board Founders of Migdal International Society Inc.

Migdal International was a co-sponsor of Chanukah in Odessa conducted by JCC “Migdal”.  Various of different holidays for kids and grown-ups that lasted for more than a week.  Chanukah candles and doughnuts, presents and lots of surprises waited for those who attended all entertainment events.

Excursions around Literary and Jewish Odessa for everyone who is interested in the history of the city.   Round tables and discussions about current problems of Jewish community of the city