This is just a quick update to let you know that we are off to great start over here in Vilnius at the ROI-Paideia European gathering. Beto and Brachi (from Paideia) did an amazing job with all the preparations and naturally took on their leading roles as the gathering got underway.

We began this morning with an intense staff training meeting where we reviewed the schedule and shared facilitation methods. Once all the participants arrived and registered, we kicked off the gathering with a series of interactive high-energy ice-breakers led by Beto and Brachi. We then broke out into small group discussions that will be continuing throughout the gathering.  Following dinner, we held the official opening where Barbara Spectre and I spoke on behalf of our respective organizations. Then the President of the Lithuanian Jewish community welcomed us with an emotional speech in Yiddish, and Simon Gurevich, the impressive 28-year-old executive director of the community gave a welcome that was nothing short of a hilarious stand-up comedy act! The event also featured musical interludes by our Polish participant, Piotr, who composes Jewish jazz music.  The energy is running high and people are excited to dive-into the intensive day of programming that is planned for tomorrow.

We were also all very relieved and happy to finally greet No’a, who deserves a medal for enduring a grueling day of Polish mishaps - she had been stuck in Warsaw for about 8 hours as a result of the communication tower at the airport going dark. Thank goodness she's here now!

More updates soon, as the gathering continues in Vilnius...

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