At the grand Ballroom of the world’s largest Jewish center, the Menorah Center in Dnipro, the leading girls’ school of the Jewish Community of Dnipro, Machon “Chaya Mushka”, held its major end-of-year celebration. The event was given a deeply symbolic title: “We Are the Children of the Rebbe and the Rebbetzin.”
The celebration began with a video of the Rebbe and the recitation of Tehillim in honor of the Seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson, and his wife, the righteous Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson. The Tehillim for the Rebbe was read by Rebbetzin of Dnipro, Chana Kaminezki, and for the Rebbetzin — by her daughter, Rebbetzin Yehudis Futerfas.
The central theme of the event was the word “Uforatzto” — the idea of spreading the light of Chassidus to all corners of the world. This theme was reflected not only in the featured videos, including a documentary about the Machon’s history and achievements, but also in each class presentation as students came up to the stage to receive awards and be honored.
A very warm and heartfelt tribute was paid to the teachers of the Machon. Each teacher was called by name, greeted with loud applause, and thanked for their dedicated work. Ten qualities that, according to the organizers and the community, characterize these outstanding educators were highlighted by the presenters:
“Dear teachers, you are: intellectual, caring, professional, modern, fair, humane, patient, creative, charismatic, and demanding.”
A special part of the ceremony was dedicated to the top-performing students of the Machon, who, as emphasized, bring great nachas to the Rebbe and the Rebbetzin and embody the Chassidic principle: “Yagati umatzati — taamin” (“I labored and succeeded — believe it”). Nine honor students were invited on stage with their mothers, and we are proud to name them:
Riki Weber (Grade 4) and Mrs. Shoshana,
Chana Nachshon (Grade 6) and Mrs. Tzipora,
Keren Pinkus (Grade 6) and Mrs. Rachel,
Luba Kaminezki (Grade 7) and Rebbetzin Chana,
Chaya Romanovska (Grade 8) and Mrs. Leah,
Yehudis Gaysinsky (Grade 5) and Chaya Gaysinsky (Grade 8) with Mrs. Anael,
Yocheved Segal (Grade 6) and Esti Segal (Grade 9) with Mrs. Chana.
The tenth honor student, Malka Brez (Grade 10), was unable to attend the event, but her gift will be given to her nonetheless. The award was a special one — a unique candlestick modeled after the personal one used by Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka. Presenting the gifts, Machon director Rachel Milman said: “May their prayers during candle lighting ascend freely to Hashem.”
This formal ceremony in the Ballroom was only the first part of the celebration: after it concluded, the students were invited to take part in three interactive stations, each designed to strengthen family bonds and reinforce their deep connection with the Rebbe and the Rebbetzin. At the first station, girls assembled a puzzle made from a family photograph; at the second, they edited a video from their family archive to bring joy to their mothers and families; and at the third, together with their mothers, they wrote letters to the Rebbe describing how happy they are to live, study, and fulfill mitzvot in the wonderful, united Jewish Community of Dnipro.
