On the outskirts of Sao Paulo, beneath a canopy of Brazilian greenery, five couples stood under the chuppah to begin their lives together. For most wedding parties, the guest list is a collection of lifelong friends and family. For these couples, the guests were 900 young Jews from across the vast reaches of Russia and the former Soviet Union—many of whom were meeting their own peers for the first time.
The weddings were the emotional centerpiece of an annual educational journey organized by Yahad, the student and young adult movement of Chabad of Russia. While the setting was exotic, the significance was deeply rooted in the reclamation of identity. For many participants, the trip to Brazil was not merely a vacation, but a pilgrimage toward a heritage that had been systematically suppressed for generations across their homelands.
Directed by Rabbi Mendy Wilansky, Yahad serves as a vital bridge for young Jews living in regions where Jewish infrastructure is nearly non-existent. From the mountain cities of Georgia to the remote edges of the Russian Far East, the organization seeks out those who may be the only Jewish person in their school or village, offering them a sense of belonging that transcends geography.
From Crimea to the Tropics: A Journey of Identity
The story of Netanel and Michal exemplifies the transformative power of the movement. Netanel, born Bogdan Nizovtzev, grew up in Yevpatoria on the Crimean Peninsula. In a city of 100,000 people, the Jewish population numbers only in the hundreds, leaving little room for communal connection or spiritual growth. After moving to Simferopol, a larger center with roughly 13,000 Jews, he first connected with Yahad.
It was during a 2022 Yahad expedition to Morocco that Netanel met Michal. Like him, she had grown up in Crimea, navigating a landscape where Jewish opportunities were scarce. Their relationship developed not in the isolation of their hometowns, but through a series of shared journeys—first in Morocco, then during a trip to Turkey, and eventually at a Shabbaton in Moscow.
The decision to marry was solidified after a pivotal conversation with philanthropist Vadim Aminov during the Moscow event. By the time the group arrived in Sao Paulo for the 2024 retreat, the couple was ready to formalize their commitment. They were one of five couples who wed during the trip, each pair having met through the program’s network.
For these couples, the location of the wedding was as symbolic as the ceremony itself. Evgeniy Krasnov, a Moscow native, noted that he and his wife, Lena, met during a Yahad cruise in Turkey. “We decided it would be particularly romantic to have a chuppah on a Yahad trip,” Krasnov said, highlighting a trend among the participants to tie their personal milestones to the community that facilitated their meeting.
Bridging the Soviet Gap
The scale of Yahad’s influence is reflected in the diversity of its participants. The movement operates across a massive sphere of influence, stretching from Tbilisi to Birobidzan. For many, these retreats are the first time they have spent an extended period in an environment where being Jewish is the norm rather than the exception.
This reconnection often ripples outward, affecting older generations who may have hidden their identity during the Soviet era. Polina Gluzman, a bride from St. Petersburg, shared that her involvement with Yahad has resonated with her parents. “Yahad forms my Jewish identity with all these trips, seminars, celebrating holidays and Shabbats,” Gluzman said. “I passed it to my parents and now they also participate in the Jewish community in St. Petersburg.”
This “reverse inheritance” of faith is a common theme among FSU youth. By reclaiming their identity, the younger generation is effectively reopening doors for their parents and grandparents, rebuilding a communal fabric that was shredded decades ago.
| Couple | Origin City | Connection Point | Wedding Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netanel &. Michal | Crimean Peninsula | Morocco (2022) | Sao Paulo, Brazil |
| Evgeniy & Lena | Moscow | Turkey Cruise | Sao Paulo, Brazil |
| Asher & Malka | Saratov | Yahad Educational Trip | Sao Paulo, Brazil |
More Than an Organization: A Global Village
The emotional weight of the Brazil retreat stems from the contrast between the participants’ daily lives and the intensity of the Yahad experience. In cities like Saratov, on the banks of the Volga River, the opportunity for open Jewish communication can be limited. Asher Kusher, who married Malka during the Brazil trip, noted that while they were from the same city, they only truly got to know one another through the program.
“In an atmosphere where people are open to communication and new connections,” Kusher explained, “it felt especially meaningful and right to celebrate our chuppah in that same atmosphere.”
The event was attended not only by the 900 young participants but also by a supporting cast of rabbis, rebbetzins, local Brazilian Jewish leaders, and philanthropists. This intersection of Russian youth and the established Brazilian Jewish community served as a reminder of the global nature of the Jewish diaspora, reinforcing the idea that no matter how isolated one may feel in a provincial Russian town, they are part of a worldwide family.
For the participants, Yahad has evolved from a series of events into a primary social and spiritual support system. As Kusher put it, the movement is “not just a Jewish organization, but a true community of like-minded people” that allows relationships to flourish long after the planes have returned to Russia.
As Yahad continues its mission, the organization is expected to announce its next annual educational destination and a series of regional seminars designed to maintain the momentum generated in Sao Paulo. These upcoming events will continue to serve as the primary checkpoints for young Jews across the FSU seeking to integrate their heritage into their modern lives.
Do you have a story about reconnecting with your heritage or finding community in unexpected places? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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