The second Brunch took place in Dnipro as part of the project “Jewish Dnipro: Memory, Identity, Community,” implemented by the Hillel Jewish Student Cultural Center in Dnipro with the support of Joint Ukraine. Despite the rain, the evening turned out to be especially warm – thanks to the atmosphere of sincerity, open dialogue, and shared memory.
As Aliona Kolpina, Director of the Hillel Jewish Student Cultural Center, explains: “The guest of the evening was Reuven Kaminezki, the son of Chief Rabbi of Dnipro and the region, Shmuel Kaminezki, and Rebbetzin Chana Kaminezki. He shared personal memories of his family’s move from New York to Dnipro in the 1990s – a time of great transformation for both the city and the community.
In the early 1990s, Jewish life in Dnipro was just beginning to revive. The arrival of Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki marked a turning point: it launched the institutional development of the community, the establishment of international ties, and the activation of educational and social initiatives. Dnipro gradually became one of the key centers of Jewish life in Ukraine.
What made the evening especially meaningful was the intertwining of personal history with communal history: participants could see how one family’s decision shaped the destiny of an entire community. The evening also served as a vivid example of intergenerational dialogue – where the younger generation learns about the difficult steps that made today’s vibrant Jewish life in the city possible.
Participants listened, asked questions, and shared their own memories. For many, the evening was not only a time to reflect on history but also to feel connected to a larger shared mission.
The project continues – more meetings, conversations, and events lie ahead. Stay tuned and join us!”
