The theme of the special events at the “Chaya-Mushka” Mahon, the leading educational institution of the Dnipro Jewish Community for girls, dedicated to the 165th anniversary of the birth of the Fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Sholom Dovber Schneersohn, also known as the Rebbe Rashab, was his famous saying: “Every Chassid is a lamplighter.”
The celebration began with all the students of the Mahon gathering for a joint meal in the dining hall. They watched a video of the Rebbe, listened to interesting facts about the life and work of the Rebbe Rashab, and sang nigunim (Chassidic melodies). Afterwards, the teachers divided the girls according to their age—into younger, middle, and senior groups—with a special program prepared for each. The younger girls decorated cord-activated lamps, making them even more attractive, so that their light would bring people joy and inspiration. The middle group made paper lanterns, and the winners were those girls who made the most lanterns, thereby adding more light to the world. The senior girls played a game that vividly demonstrated how light overcomes darkness and why it is so crucial for everyone to incessantly add spiritual light to the world and to kindle new and new lamps.
“The Rebbe Rashab taught his Chassidim that if you see a lamp that is not lit, you must light it; moreover, if it is placed high, you should take a ladder and make the effort, for every Chassid must kindle the lamps in our Jewish souls, must add spiritual light to the world, and not spare any effort in bringing others closer to the Torah and Yiddishkeit,” explained the Mora, Edna Yudovich. “This is exactly what we discussed with the girls and reinforced this knowledge with a bright and emotional experience during the holiday, which became very intense and memorable, thanks to the support of the united and close-knit Dnipro Jewish Community and its Chief Rabbi, Shmuel Kaminezki.”
