By Ann Kuffner
UUFSMA Member
We’ve all seen heartbreaking images from the war in Ukraine. Many of us ask ourselves, “There must be a way to help. But I’m just one person. What can I do?” During this Service Judith Jenya will explain how she answered that question in her own life.
Jenya created summer camps for children who were experiencing the ongoing violence of war that impacted their families, cities, and neighborhoods. She describes how she was exposed to their dire needs and caught a vision of what might be done. She engaged her creativity and trusted her vision. She let loose her “chutzpah” and inspired others to join her in this work. Jenya says that sometimes her successes were a result of hard work and planning—and sometimes it was luck.
Jenya’s work took root in Bosnia, Croatia, and Kosovo during the war in the Balkans. From 1993 to 2003 Jenya’s programs worked with over 1,600 children. One of Jenya’s motivations was the Jewish principle called “tikkun olam,” which says that all of us are called to share the work of repairing the broken parts of the world. This concept aligns closely with the Seven Principles that guide Unitarian Universalism.
In December Jenya published her memoir, “Memories Do Not Burn.” It focuses on the years when she was working directly with children who were living with violence. Reviewers have written about this memoir, “It is an inspiration for us all to rise to our highest potential.” Another wrote, “It is a must-read if you want to be inspired, celebrate what can be done for others, and rejoice in human goodness.” After the service her book will be available for purchase and signing.
Jenya has worked as an attorney, psychotherapist, educator, artist, poet, and writer. She lives in San Miguel de Allende with her husband. She is a member of this UU Fellowship and the Jewish community.
Unitarian Universalism is a liberal faith inviting its community to gather around a set of harmonizing values and principles for living. Our UU Fellowship welcomes people of all ages, races, religions, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Belief in a divinity is not the central issue around which we gather for worship and generous action. Rather, we come together with a belief in community, love, compassion, social justice, reverence for nature, and the spirituality of music, all within the interconnected web of existence.
UUFSMA donates generously to support nonprofit organizations that provide health, educational, and environmental services for underserved communities in the San Miguel region. Please support this work by clicking on the website home page Donate button.
To participate in our online Sunday Service, visit www.uufsma.org and click on the Zoom Service button on the home page. If requested, enter password 294513. Sign in from anywhere Sunday mornings between 10:15-10:25am. Enjoy previous services at https://www.youtube.com/UUFSMA.
In addition to continuing live Zoom services, UUFSMA has returned to in-person Sunday services. Reservations are no longer necessary. UUFSMA meets at the hotel Posada de la Aldea on Ancha San Antonio 15.
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Sunday Service
“Memories Don’t Burn”
Speaker: Judith Jenya
Sun., Feb. 26, 10:30am
Hotel Posada de la Aldea
Ancha de San Antonio 15
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/414604040
Password: 294513
