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Purim Celebration Brings Croatian Jewish Community Closer — Ensuring a Jewish Future
Before the Jewish community of Osijek, Croatia, had a Sunday school, 16-year-old Davor had no real connection to Jewish life. He didn't know much about Jewish holidays, and only wished he had an opportunity to make Jewish friends. Now Davor has taken on a leadership role among the youngest generation, offering support and assistance each week as the children learn about their Jewish identity. "Even when his sister Martina, 13, cannot make it, Davor is there. He is a great help, and I can really count on him," shares Nives, who herself started the local Sunday school program.
A pioneer in the Osijek community, Nives literally danced her way into Jewish life. She and her husband had for years enjoyed dancing, and had a reputation for their skill. They had even incorporated Israel folk-dancing into their repertoire, which they learned at a family camp held at the Ronald S. Lauder/JDC International Summer Camp grounds. With training and assistance from Neda, a leader in the Zagreb Jewish community who runs the Zagreb-based "Or HaShemesh" dance group, Nives established a local Israeli folk-dancing group in Osijek, as well as a young people's dance group "Haverim Shel Israel" five years later. "With this, the children came back to the community," recalls Nives. "It was very wonderful to see." But a determined and endearing Nives did not stop there; her impact on the children was felt throughout the local community, and her leadership was sought after. In 2004, when the community in Zagreb was organizing a children's camp in Pirovac, Nives not only organized a group of youngsters from Osijek to attend the groundbreaking camp, but herself attended as a madricha` in order to help coordinate activities for the children. "I learned so much in preparation for the camp and then while I was there, that I was approached afterwards to begin a Sunday school in Osijek," explains Nives. Silvija, a Hebrew teacher at a school in Zagreb as well as in the community's Sunday school, supplied Nives with the necessary materials to launch the school in Osijek. "This is our second year, and I am very satisfied with this work," she shares. The children are great — they enjoy everything that we do together, and so do I!" Among the enthusiastic Sunday school participants are Nives's son and daughter. Rachael, six years old, and others performed last year at the JDC-sponsored "BeYachad" regional gathering on the island of Hvar for Jews of the former Yugoslavia. "The president of Croatia, Mr. Stipe Mesic, was in the audience...it was really wonderful," says the proud mother and community leader. Nives explains that the focus this year is on Israel, as well as learning about the holidays, reviewing stories from the Bible, and talking about Jewish customs. "We are discussing, learning, drawing, coloring, acting, dancing..." she says, pausing briefly. "The most important thing is not the specific activities — it is that the children are in the community, after a long, long time." Young people — and especially parents — are coming regularly to holiday celebrations and other activities planned through the Sunday school. "This is the biggest satisfaction — they are coming now!" As they do each holiday, Davor and dozens of the youngest generation will join together for Purim festivities. Some 15 participants will dance, reenact a Purim play, and have a costume party replete with prizes, captivating an audience of 100 expected guests. "Each time there are more and more of us," Nives says, both with pride and absolute humility. "We aim for these children to ensure a Jewish future here." March 2006 |
