Rabbi and head of the “Beit Yoel” project, Yakov Dorfman, announced that a memorial plaque in honor of Yoel Levayev was solemnly unveiled at the “Beit Chabad for Israelis,” with the participation of the leadership of the Jewish Community of Dnipro, Shluchim of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, and students involved in the project.
During the ceremony, Chief Rabbi of Dnipro and the region, Shmuel Kaminezki, emphasized that the Dnipro Jewish Community has been running the “Beit Chabad for Israelis” program for many years, primarily serving Israeli students studying at Dnipro’s institutions of higher education. In the month of Adar this year, the program was renamed “Beit Yoel” in memory of Yoel Levayev, a student at Dnipro Medical Academy who actively participated in the community’s Jewish life, earned his medical degree, and tragically passed away in October 2024 at the age of 24 in the Holy Land as a result of a traffic accident.
Distinguished guests spoke at the unveiling ceremony, including Rabbi Meir Tzvi Stambler, Head of the Council of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine, who emphasized the importance of the “Beit Chabad for Israelis” initiative in Dnipro in helping Israeli students preserve their Jewish identity.
The memorial plaque, installed on the fourth floor of the “Beit Yoel” center in the administrative building of the Golden Rose Synagogue complex, states that it is dedicated to the everlasting memory of Dr. Yoel Levayev (2001–2024). The inscription, translated from Hebrew, reads:“With humility, love, and boundless devotion — this is how Yoel acted among us. A talented student who completed the entire course of study. His dreams were cut short, but his memory forever lights up our hearts. A loyal friend who was always the first to offer a helping hand at Beit Chabad, to support and smile.
We remember you with deep love and thank you for every moment, every smile, and every act of kindness. May your memory be a blessing. May your soul be bound in the bond of life.
Beit Chabad ‘Beit Yoel’ was created from the depths of the hearts of Mr. Lev Levayev and his wife Olga Levayeva — in honor of the soul of Dr. Yoel, son of Shalom, in his memory and as a merit for all their descendants.”
Following the unveiling, a Hasidic farbrengen took place, with many heartfelt lechaims made for the elevation of Yoel Levayev’s soul. May his memory be a blessing.
