A grand festive evening dedicated to the 19th of Kislev—the New Year of Chassidism—was held in the “Sinai” main hall of the “Menorah” Center. The event gathered hundreds of congregants and guests from the Dnipro Jewish Community, becoming a bright, rich, and truly inspiring occasion, filled with profound spiritual content, lively audience participation, and a special atmosphere of Chassidic joy and inner elevation.
The festive program began with a welcome for the guests to the live sounds of nigunim performed by the “Royal Orchestra” under the direction of Serhii Horkusha, allowing everyone to immerse themselves in the special mood of the day from the very first minutes. Already at the entrance to the hall, participants had the opportunity to be not just spectators but active participants in the celebration: guests could write a Pan (petitionary note), choose a “good resolution” (achla tova) related to Torah study, prayer, or charity, and also receive cards to participate in the interactive game “True or False,” which accompanied the entire course of the event.
After the guests were seated in the hall, the evening’s host, Rabbi Shlomo Tereshkevich, opened the meeting with a story about the significance of the 19th of Kislev as the Day of Liberation of the Alter Rebbe, which has gained the status of the “New Year of Chassidism,” and suggested watching a short but very meaningful video film about the historical foundation of this key event. Later, the head of the Council of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine, Rabbi Meir Tzvi Stambler, was invited to the stage, who warmly greeted all those present. An important part of the celebration was a video address by the Leader of our Generation, the Seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, dedicated to the meaning of the 19th of Kislev, which became the spiritual axis of the entire evening.
The keynote speaker of the evening was the Chief Rabbi of Kherson, Rabbi Yosef Wolf. His speech was dedicated to the central idea of the celebration—the principle of “The mind rules over the heart,” which runs through all the teachings of Chassidism. Rabbi Wolf spoke about how the light with which the Alter Rebbe and his followers filled the world helps him and the Jewish community of Kherson even in the most difficult trials of the present day.
The main theme of the evening, “The mind rules over the heart,” was continued by the speeches of participants from the audience. They shared personal stories and reflections on the interaction of mind and heart in real life, turning a philosophical formula into living human experience. Among them were leaders and activists of the Dnipro Jewish Community—Dan Makohon, Oleksandr Rodinsky, Moishe Listengurt, and Arie Ivakhnenko.
An important emotional moment was the joint performance of the nigun “Podoh V’sholom” in a karaoke format, as well as musical interludes by the orchestra that accompanied the transitions between program segments. The interactive game “True or False,” dedicated to the history of Chassidism and the events of the 19th of Kislev, elicited a particularly bright reaction from all present. During the game, guests not only tested their knowledge but also participated in a draw for wonderful prizes, highlighting the main idea of the evening—the attentiveness of the mind and the openness of the heart.
The final part of the celebration was dedicated to the spiritual understanding of personal choice and inner growth: an esteemed member of the Dnipro Jewish Community, Igal Rogovy, read a Pan. This was followed by a symbolic draw for a “good resolution,” reminding each participant of their personal responsibility for their own spiritual path. Among the winners of the “True or False” game, selected via a lottery, those who received valuable prizes from the “Judaica” store were determined.
The evening concluded with joyous dancing that united everyone present in a shared feeling of light, joy, and renewal, with which it is customary to greet the New Year of Chassidism, carrying with them the warmth of this special day and the sense of a living touch with its profound meaning. Following the conclusion of the event, which was made possible thanks to the Dnipro Jewish Community and the comprehensive participation of Rabbi Moshe Leib Weber and Rebbetzin Shoshana Weber, all participants were treated to pleasant surprises: Hanukkah gift sets from the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine, Jewish books, and a grand festive reception in the Gallery of the “Menorah” Center.
