We have come full circle

I do not have the words to describe what it feels like to come full circle. 10 years ago, when I began dreaming of a solution to education and community building in Europe, it was a slow and painstaking project. 6 years ago, when I started the Zehud Jewish Online school, I knew that it would take many years to know if our results matched their premise: to provide the best Jewish education available, by the most professional staff.

This past shabbat Parashat Chayei Sara, in the tiny Jewish community of Zagreb, Croatia, it happened — the bar mitzvah celebration of J. J’s parent’s, who are both Croatian born, invited us to attend, and we were delighted.

J made us so proud. He read his entire Torah Portion. At shabbat lunch, his father stood up to speak, to give thanks for the blessings and the opportunities that came their way when they were desperate, not knowing where to turn.

He thanked J’s grandparents who always reminded him that they were Jewish even though it was difficult during the Communist era. He thanked the local Rabbi and Rabbanit for creating a preschool for his children. He thanked the Zehud Jewish Online School for  showing up at the right time in their lives to provide their children with a foundational Jewish education. We got to visit with all of the Zehud children in Croatia and they could speak with eachother Be’Ivrit.

That was the moment that I knew that the school I dreamt of 10 years ago, had finally came full circle — delivering its bold promise for the future of Jewish Europe.

How deeply gratifying a moment to be included in this truly special celebration.