Meet Maxim

“The first time I felt my soul was when I was ten,” said Maxim. “I was vacationing in the Czech Republic with my family, and we stopped into a jewelry store. I saw a necklace with a Star of David on it and asked grandpa if he would buy it for me. I’ve worn it every day since.”

“I wanted to learn more but didn’t know where to turn. Six years passed, and someone reached out to invite me to an event for Jewish youth. That was just six months ago, but it didn't take long to feel at home."

"Can you describe what that feels like?” I asked. "You know those days when you have something on your mind that weighs you down? Whatever problems are going on in my life, when I come to the synagogue, I forget them all."

Credit: Yanky Ascher | Souls on the Don