A special program dedicated to the 3rd of Tamuz – the Rebbe’s Day, one of the most important dates for Chabad chassidim around the world – took place at Machon “Chaya-Mushka,” the leading educational institution for girls of the Dnipro Jewish Community. This day is connected with strengthening hiskashrus – the bond with the Leader of our generation, the Seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson – through studying his teachings and reflecting on the mission that the Rebbe entrusted to every Jew.
In advance of the 3rd of Tamuz, the girls studied a maamar dedicated to the connection of every Jew with the Leader of the generation, memorized it, and recited the learned material to their teachers. For each memorized line, the participants received lottery tickets, which they could later use during a festive raffle. Additionally, the students took upon themselves good resolutions and commitments, striving to mark this special day not only through study but also through practical actions.
The day itself began with a festive breakfast: for the older classes, it was held in the gymnasium, and for the younger ones, in the Machon’s dining hall. Special meetings with invited guests were prepared for the students. Rebbetzin Shoshi Weber spoke before the older students, sharing memories of personal encounters with the Lubavitcher Rebbe and speaking about the importance of constant hiskashrus. For many girls, this account was one of the most inspiring moments of the program. For the younger students, a special program was conducted by Chana Stambler. She told stories connected with the Rebbe, performed Chassidic niggunim on the guitar, and created a special atmosphere of warmth, joy, and emotional connection, which gave the girls many vivid impressions.
An important part of the day was the writing of PANs (Pidyon Nefesh) – personal letters to the Rebbe, in which each student could express her requests, reflections, and good resolutions. The celebration concluded with a large raffle. Of particular interest was that the girls could independently choose the prizes they wanted to use their tickets for, and then sincerely rejoice in the successes of their friends and the winners.
“It was very important to us that the preparation for the 3rd of Tamuz not become merely a study of material but that it help each girl feel a personal hiskashrus with the Rebbe and reflect on how to implement his ideas in her daily life,” noted Raizel Milman, Director of the Machon. “A great deal of credit for conducting this day goes to Esti Stambler, Dvora Neumann, and Sheina Segal, who prepared a meaningful and inspiring program. It is especially important that together with the entire Dnipro Jewish Community, we were able to mark the Rebbe’s Day, strengthen our connection with him, and feel ourselves part of his great mission, which we realize thanks to the support, attention, and care of our united and cohesive Dnipro Jewish Community under the leadership of Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki, as well as the special attention to our Machon from Rebbetzin Chana Kaminezki.”
