A children’s farbrengen dedicated to the 24th of Tevet – the 213th anniversary of the passing of the founder of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, the First Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, also known as the Alter Rebbe – was held at the “Beit Zindelicht” Children’s Educational Center, the leading preschool institution of the Dnipro Jewish Community.
During the farbrengen, the children performed important actions connecting each of them to Jewish tradition and the great Chabad Rebbes: they gave tzedakah, lit a candle, and participated in a special moment – an upsherin for a doll, in memory of how the Alter Rebbe himself had his first haircut at the age of three. Through these simple yet deeply meaningful actions, the students became acquainted with the traditions and meanings associated with this special day.
The central educational element of the farbrengen was the story about an act of Rabbi Shneur Zalman. Hearing his grandson crying, he went downstairs to comfort the child, despite the fact that his son was completely immersed in study at that moment. This story became an important lesson for the children, reminding them that even when engaged in the loftiest and most spiritual pursuits, one must not forget empathy and caring for those around, especially those who need our attention and care.
The middle group prepared and presented a short dramatization of this story, experiencing it through play and theatrical action. This format helped the children not only hear the story but also understand its meaning more deeply, feeling the value of attention, care, and responsibility for one another.
“The event was organized in a warm and meaningful atmosphere, understandable and close to the children, combining tradition, Jewish content, and emotional experience,” noted the kindergarten teacher, Naomi Chaya Yavorska. “Holding the children’s farbrengen for the 24th of Tevet became part of the systematic work of transmitting Jewish values to the youngest members of the community and was made possible thanks to the support of the united and close-knit Dnipro Jewish Community under the leadership of Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki.”
