A grand women’s farbrengen was held in Dnipro at the historic synagogue of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson on Yevropeyska Street, honoring the memorial day of the righteous Chana Schneerson. She was the mother of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the devoted wife and helper of Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, the Chief Rabbi of Yekaterinoslav-Dnipropetrovsk from 1909 to 1939.
At the beginning of the gathering, the farbrengen’s host, Daniela Listengurt, warmly greeted all those present and reminded everyone of the importance of writing a pan (a note for a blessing) and giving tzedakah. This was because, during the farbrengen, Lea Lazareva would relay the information to Sara Djeruk, an activist of the Jewish women’s movement in Dnipro, who was at the gravesite of Rebbetzin Chana in New York. Sara would read all the names and pray for all the participants, for our entire community, and for our country.
The floor was then given to Rebbetzin Chana Kaminezki. After her speech, a memorial candle—a ner neshama (soul candle)—was lit, an honor bestowed upon Chana Segal. Afterwards, all those present watched a video about Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson and recited Mishnayot in her honor.
The well-known historian of Jewish life in Dnipro and deputy secretary of the rabbinical court, Itzhak Karshenbaum, spoke about how the Schneerson family lived in our city during the first third of the 20th century and what is known about the activities of the righteous Rebbetzin Chana. Activist of the women’s movement, Miriam Minutova, shared a personal story passed down in her family from generation to generation. It told of how her relative attended the famous “parallel wedding” organized by Rabbi Levi Yitzchak and Rebbetzin Chana in honor of their son Menachem Mendel’s marriage to the daughter of the Sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe. She also spoke about a book with annotations made by the hand of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, which is preserved in their family as a great relic.
The collective singing of nigunim (melodies) led by Tziporah Nachshon and an engaging game organized by Shoshanna Weber, in which all attendees could participate, created a special atmosphere at the farbrengen.
The event concluded with the women accepting upon themselves good resolutions, a report on how Sara Djeruk in New York carried out the mission entrusted by the women of Dnipro, and birthday greetings addressed to Nechama Momot, who celebrated her birthday on the 6th of Tishrei.
“This was a very bright and spiritually profound event that united the Jewish women of our community,” said Leah Mayevskaya, the manager of the djc.com.ua website. “We deeply felt the unity and solidarity that exists thanks to our wonderful Jewish Community of Dnipro and its Chief Rabbi, Shmuel Kaminezki.”
