As part of the Shabbaton for the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s Shluchim in Ukraine, organized by JRNU together with the Dnipro Jewish Community, an extensive children’s program took place, divided into three age categories—for the youngest children ages 3 to 6, for older girls, and for boys.
The program for the youngest was structured as a cohesive and thoughtfully designed system, united by the Shabbaton’s central theme: “With Joy We Will Overcome.” It began Thursday evening with a warm welcome for the children, icebreaker games, active entertainment, a bubble show, and a light performance. From the very first moments, the atmosphere was set as a space of joy, and joy became the central theme of all the following days. This was especially symbolic, as the Shabbaton took place at the beginning of the month of Adar—a time when, in the words of the Sages, we increase in joy.
On Friday, the children participated in a challah baking workshop, learned about the weekly Torah portion of Terumah, enjoyed a mini-lesson, and created themed crafts. All activities and games were logically connected to the content of the parshah and the overall theme of the Shabbaton. Throughout Shabbos, children’s prayers were held, along with thematic games that helped reveal the meaning of the weekly Torah portion in a format accessible to children.
A particularly exciting moment came on Motzei Shabbos after Havdalah. Activity stations were prepared for the children, including virtual reality goggles, a “cashbox” booth with flying bills, an inflatable slide and bouncy castle, a Tesla show demonstrating electrical effects, face painting, and dancing. The program was dynamic and engaging, eliciting genuine delight from the participants.
On Sunday, the program concluded with a grand finale. Throughout the Shabbaton, the children collected special points called “Adariks,” which they could exchange on the final day at an improvised store for prizes, sweets, and soft or interactive toys. The organizers also ensured that every child received a gift. Additionally, as a memento of the Shabbaton, each participant was given a warm scarf featuring the logos of JRNU and the Dnipro Jewish Community, along with the theme: “With Joy We Will Overcome.”
This part of the children’s program was led by the young and talented educator of the Levi Yitzchak Schneerson Jewish Lyceum No. 144, Morah Leah Lazareva, assisted by madrichot—Neta Shabatova, Adel Yandyuk, Aliza Schneider, and Levana Aflikina. Although the program was designed for children ages three to six, even younger participants joined in—toddlers aged one and a half to two years enthusiastically took part in all the activities. Parents noted the thoughtful structure, logical coherence, and deep connection of each program element to the overall theme of the Shabbaton.
“We aimed for every detail of the program to be connected to the idea of joy and to convey the Shabbaton’s theme through a format understandable to children,” said Morah Leah Lazareva. “It was important to us that the children not merely participate in games, but experience this time meaningfully—through connection to the weekly parshah, the month of Adar, and the atmosphere of Shabbos. We are sincerely grateful to the Dnipro Jewish Community for the opportunity to create such a space of joy and spiritual content for the children, one that united the children of shluchim from different cities across Ukraine.”
