The latest meeting of the “Rosh Chodesh Club” program for girls participating in the Dnipro Jewish Community’s youth project “DJCY-STL-STARS Dnipro,” implemented with the support of STL, was dedicated to the beginning of the month of Adar and the approaching holiday of Purim. The focus was on understanding its mitzvos and the practical significance of the Megillah in the life of every Jewish girl.
Throughout the gathering, “Rosh Chodesh Club” program leader Chaya Nachshon engaged participants in a discussion about the four primary mitzvos of Purim: the festive meal, mishloach manos, gifts to the needy, and listening to the Megillah. Special attention was given to the latter. It was emphasized that the Megillah should not be perceived merely as a beautiful ancient story or a narrative of past events. If one listens to it only as a tale of bygone days, the mitzvah is not considered fulfilled. Every chapter, every event is a guide for life, addressed to us today.
The participants discussed the story of Mordechai and Esther, who held high positions in Achashverosh’s court, and reflected on how they acted at the moment of threat to the Jewish people. Before taking political steps and approaching the king, they called upon the people to repent, to engage in spiritual awakening, and to turn to Hashem. Only after this inner work did practical actions follow. From this, a conclusion was drawn about two stages in overcoming any life difficulty: first, spiritual analysis and self-correction, then concrete steps on the material level.
At the conclusion of the gathering, participants spoke about how the Torah is not a collection of stories but a book of life that provides direction and strength for making right decisions. Through the Megillah, each girl can see a reflection of her own situation and find guidance for growth. On this path, the instructions of our Rebbeim help reveal how to apply the eternal words of the Torah in contemporary reality.
“It is important to us that Rosh Chodesh becomes a time for deep reflection and personal growth,” said “DJCY-STL-STARS Dnipro” project director Chaya Maltseva. “Such gatherings help the girls not merely learn about tradition but understand it as a guide for action, to feel support and spiritual direction, and to sense themselves as part of the great Jewish family—the united and cohesive Dnipro Jewish Community under the leadership of its Chief Rabbi, Shmuel Kaminezki.”
