When
we are young, we want to be friends with elders - to learn from them, to absorb
their life experience. But as we grow older, our perspective changes, and we
begin to enjoy communicating more with younger people. They are a source of
fresh ideas, new thoughts, and boundless energy. And most importantly, when you
spend time with young people, you yourself feel young!
I
am very happy that in recent years I’ve been meeting more and more of an amazing new generation — intelligent, educated, active, and deeply inspiring. As the head of a women’s organization,
I’m most interested in people like them — both for participation in our magazine and in community life.
Here’s
an example. In June, our San Diego community honored a Dental School student, Vita Davydova (daughter of Evgeny Davydov and Dr. Lyudmila Gerova). She made history at UCLA
(University of California, Los Angeles) by founding the very first Jewish
Dental Students Association. And she did it during a challenging time, when
antisemitic student protests were spreading across America.
And
this is not an isolated case; such examples inspire us increasingly often.
Quite
recently, I was lucky to get acquainted — so far only by phone — with another remarkable student, this time from law school — Sarina Kushmakova (daughter of Artur Kushmakov and Stella Sionova). From the very first minute, I sensed
intelligence, modesty, respectfulness, and good upbringing. We spoke for a long time about life, family, studies, and the magazine. She reads our magazine, loves it, and is eager to write for it.
When Sarina asked what I would like her to write about, I suggested that she choose the topic herself, because I try not to impose my own ideas on newcomers, but rather to give them the freedom to express their own thoughts and dreams. Her answer truly touched me: Sarina said she had long dreamed of sharing with young people the life wisdom of the older generation — of her parents, grandparents, and elders. Many thanks to the parents of Vita Davydova and Sarina Kushmakova for raising such wonderful daughters.
It
is exactly people like her I’ve always been searching for in our magazine. Life shows that the young generation sometimes treats the advice of elders with a hint of skepticism, saying that they “need to learn from their own
mistakes.” But then, what are parents for — just to feed and clothe?, or grandparents, older relatives, and wise people whose life experiences deserve
attention? After all, as the saying goes, a wise person learns from the
mistakes of others, while a foolish one learns from his own.
The wisdom of our elders is truly the greatest treasure — it helps the young avoid stumbling where others once stumbled. That’s how our magazine’s new section came to life — “From Your Wisdom to Our Youth.”
This theme is so close to my heart that I’d like to end this column with a poem by Irina Samarina, in which everything is expressed more precisely than any explanation — and which, I believe, will touch your heart with its depth and warmth.
Youth and Maturity
Youth declared with shining pride:
“I’m perfect, bright inside!
I’m young and wild with fire —
The world fulfills all my desires!”
Age replied, with gentle grace:
“I once saw life through your face.
Joy’s not in freedom, night, or fashion,
But in a quiet, lasting passion.
You’ll learn that happiness will stay
When love and laughter fills your day.
Youth then whispered, “If that’s true,
Why do you cry as elders do?”
Age smiled softly through a tear:
“I weep for what I lost, my dear —
For when I was as young as you,
I had it all…
And never knew.”
Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Zoya Maksumova
(October 2025, "Ladies' World" №292)
