In Dnipro, during the days of preparation for Rosh Hashanah, a special event took place where activists of the women’s Jewish movement cared for the Crowns that adorn the Torah Scrolls, ensuring that on Rosh Hashanah and other holidays of the month of Tishrei, they would shine in full splendor and grandeur.
The event was held in the space for classes and “seudat mitzvot” in the main prayer hall of the central synagogue “Golden Rose,” where an initiative group of the women’s movement gathered to revive a very beautiful and touching custom – cleaning and renewing the Crowns for the Torah Scrolls. This custom was initiated in 2015 by Elizabeth Rivka Gaysinovych and Luba Simkha Tsitsuashvili, and it was observed in the community for several years until the pandemic and subsequent events. This year, Lea Mayevska proposed to revive it, and it was supported by activists of the Dnipro Jewish Community – Luba Simkha Tsitsuashvili, Lea Brez, Rivka Bystra, Khana Nevenchana, Bluma Cherkashina, and Ilona Syniakova.
The event, under the patronage and guidance of Rebbetzin Hana Kaminezki, was held to glorify the Torah and increase light for our community and all of Ukraine. “It is very important and honorable to adorn the synagogue, to show respect for the Torah Scrolls, and I am very glad that the women of our community gathered and put a lot of effort and soul into restoring the beauty, shine, and grandeur of the Torah Crowns,” says Rebbetzin Hana Kaminezki. “Many people take on personal commitments to decorate synagogues or farbrengens, but I am very happy that in Dnipro, it is the women, as an important part of the community, who took it upon themselves to personally care for the Torah Crowns. I am sure that on Rosh Hashanah, their brilliance will delight all congregants, and it will be credited as a merit to our community for a good and sweet year.”
The work of cleaning and restoring the original beauty of the Torah Crowns in our synagogue was very meticulous, requiring considerable effort, attention, and care. The women purchased special pastes and accessories and performed this work with great inspiration and love, sincerely rejoicing at the shine and grandeur that emerged before their eyes thanks to their efforts.
“I am very glad that the custom of women gathering before Rosh Hashanah to restore the grandeur of the Torah Crowns, which Elizabeth Rivka Gaysinovych initiated for our community, has now been revived in Dnipro and is also being carried out in other cities,” says Luba Simkha Tsitsuashvili. “In the last days of the month of Elul, we strive to become better and do as much good as possible in the passing year, and to enter the new year with a desire to improve and repair this world. Rebbetzin Hana Kaminezki, who blessed our idea and supported us with advice and personal participation in this event, told us that among the Torah Crowns in our synagogue, there is a unique one – an exact copy of the Crown of the Torah of Moshiach, the original of which is kept in ‘770.’ It differs from other crowns, which are usually silver, in that it has gold decorations applied to a silver base, giving it a special appearance. The way it now shines and glows, how it delights with its grandeur, I am sure, will bring great nachas to the Rebbe and blessings for us.”
