The concluding day of the Sheva Brachot period — the seven days following the Jewish wedding of the young couple Shneur Zalman and Miriam Lazarev — was celebrated in a festive atmosphere at the historic “Alter Shul” synagogue on Kotsyubynskoho Street.
The “Alter Shul” was the only functioning synagogue in the city after World War II and until the restoration of the central synagogue, “Golden Rose.” It was here, in the early 1990s, that Jewish revival in Dnipro began under the leadership of the young emissary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki. In the mid-2010s, thanks to the Dnipro Jewish Community, a rehabilitation center called “A Good Future” was established in the renovated synagogue to serve individuals in need of social, psychological, and spiritual support and reintegration.
Rabbi of the “Alter Shul” synagogue, Adam Smilyansky, proposed holding the final evening of the Lazarev family’s Sheva Brachot in this historical place, together with congregants and participants of the “Good Future” program. The event turned out to be joyful, heartfelt, and memorable: blessings were recited, glasses raised for l’chaim, and heartfelt wishes expressed to the newlyweds — for a home filled with Shalom Bayit, for G-d’s blessings, and for many children who will walk the path of Torah, Chuppah, and good deeds.
The Sheva Brachot celebration held at the “Alter Shul,” made possible by the Dnipro Jewish Community, left a strong emotional impression on all present. The groom’s mother — esteemed educator and active member of the Jewish community of Dnipro, Rivka (Irina Ivanovna) Lazareva — shared her feelings:
“This truly was an extraordinary final chord for our children’s Sheva Brachot. Every evening this week brought them new blessings and meaning, but this last event lifted it all to a new spiritual height. I hadn’t been to our old synagogue in years and honestly didn’t expect such a stunning renovation. But even more important was how warmly, lovingly, and attentively we were welcomed. Our children were granted the joy of being embraced by the Jewish community — of being part of a large, united Jewish family.”
Rabbi Adam Smilyansky added:
“I would like to bless the wonderful Lazarev family, who do so much for the revival of Yiddishkeit, and to express deep gratitude to the Dnipro Jewish Community and its Chief Rabbi, Shmuel Kaminezki, thanks to whom we witness such miracles and have the privilege to be part of them.”
