In honor of Rosh Chodesh Shvat, another meeting of the “Daughters-Mothers” project took place in the Dnipro Jewish Community. It united participants from the children’s program “DJCY – STL kids – JFuture” and the teen program “DJCY – STL Teens – EnerJew,” which are implemented by the Dnipro Jewish Community with the support of STL and the projects of the JRNU Foundation.
The evening’s program was structured around three important dates of the month of Shvat: 10 Shvat (Yud Shvat), 15 Shvat (Tu B’Shvat), and 22 Shvat – the yahrzeit of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, daughter of the Sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe and wife of the Seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson. These dates were united by a common thematic thread related to bread, family traditions, and women’s mitzvahs in Jewish life.
At the beginning of the meeting, mothers and daughters participated in a creative “Focaccia Art” workshop. Bina Letichevskaya performed the separation of challah. Afterward, each family could creatively approach the process and decorate their piece of dough with patterns made from vegetables. The result was not only delicious but truly beautiful creations, reflecting each family’s individuality.
The program continued with the theme of 22 Shvat – the yahrzeit of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka. On this day, it is customary to speak about the three women’s mitzvahs: lighting Shabbos candles, family purity, and separating challah. Each participant received a commemorative plaque with detailed instructions, a challah dough recipe, and the blessing. Following this, families took part in a small educational quiz dedicated to bread and related Jewish traditions.
Within the discussion of Tu B’Shvat, participants recalled why this day is celebrated, which specific Seven Species of the Land of Israel are customarily eaten, and what significance this holds in Jewish tradition. Afterward, everyone was invited to join the KKL-JNF fund’s campaign and purchase a tree to be planted in the Land of Israel in the name of their family.
The concluding part of the evening was the discussion of Yud Shvat (10 Shvat) – one of the key dates in the Chassidic calendar, marking the passing of the Sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe and the assumption of leadership by the Seventh Rebbe. The participants spoke about the profound changes the Rebbe brought to the lives of Chassidim, particularly the development of women’s shiurim and the active role of women in community life. Special attention was given to the Rebbe’s Ten Mivtzoyim (campaigns), including those related to kashrut. The participants were invited to analyze how the topic of kashrut is implemented in their families and what good resolutions they would like to adopt.
To conclude the meeting, each family took home their personally made and decorated focaccia, which became a symbol of shared creativity, family participation, and the meaningful living of Jewish traditions.
“For us, it was important to show how the different dates of the month of Shvat can be connected through practice, tradition, and family interaction,” said the project coordinator, Beila Letichevskaya. “Such meetings help mothers and daughters experience Jewish meanings together and strengthen the intergenerational bond. Thanks to the support of the Dnipro Jewish Community and its Chief Rabbi, Shmuel Kaminezki, this format continues to develop, and we are already preparing the next meeting for Rosh Chodesh Adar.”
