A special and touching Bat Mitzvah celebration took place at the “DJCY–STL Kids–JFuture” children’s program, implemented by the Dnipro Jewish Community with the support of STL and JFuture (a project of the JRNU Foundation). The guest of honor was Tanya Pavlova, who only joined the Jewish lyceum of our city this year and is taking her first steps into the world of Jewish tradition.
For Tanya, much of this day was a first. Having relatively recently become part of school and community life, her introduction to the tradition of Bat Mitzvah was a true revelation. The organizers prepared a full celebration for her as part of the Sunday “Kids” program, where all the participants became her guests and shared in the joy of this important spiritual milestone.
Tanya’s homeroom teacher, Galina Kidalova—one of the leading educators at the Jewish lyceum—attended the celebration, along with her traditions teacher, Leah Lazareva. During the event, a letter from the Rebbe with a blessing was read. Following this, Tanya gave tzedakah and helped the other children perform this mitzvah by distributing coins for the tzedakah pushka. This moment became one of the deepest and most meaningful of the day’s program.
A wonderful and deeply symbolic gift for Tanya Pavlova was presented to her by the program directors and madrichot: an elegant silver Magen David—not merely as jewelry, but as a symbol of Jewish identity and pride. As the organizers expressed, it is meant to serve as a reminder of the inner dignity and Jewish self-awareness that the girl is beginning to discover within herself.
In the informal part of the celebration, the children enjoyed games, quizzes, songs, greetings, cake, and dancing. The atmosphere was joyful and sincere, and the children enthusiastically gave the birthday girl their gifts and warm wishes.
At the conclusion of the celebration, Tanya announced that she had made a good resolution: this coming Shabbos, she will receive her Jewish name at the synagogue during the Torah reading. This will mark a continuation of her journey and an important spiritual step, opening new chapters of conscious and proud Jewish life.
“It was important for us that Tanya feel herself part of her new, large Jewish family—because she and her parents came to Dnipro as internally displaced persons, and this is her first personal Jewish milestone in our community,” Adina Seldina, the program director, told our site. “A Bat Mitzvah is not a formality; it is a personal and very bright moment of coming of age in Jewish tradition. We hope that she and her family will always feel that the community is here to support and help the girl and her family on their path to a full Jewish life.”
