At the “Beit Tzindlicht” children’s educational center, a leading preschool institution of the Jewish Community of Dnipro, classes dedicated to preparing for the holiday of Rosh Hashanah took place throughout the week. In an accessible and engaging play-based format, the children became acquainted with the traditions of the Jewish New Year, learned about its symbols and meaning, and discovered the richness of Jewish traditions through games, creativity, and personal participation.
During the classes, the children joyfully took part in themed games, transforming into little bees that collected honey and flew from flower to flower, becoming acquainted with one of the main symbols of the holiday – the wish for a good and sweet year. The little ones identified festive symbols by touch, explored the texture of honey, and through playful tasks learned about the meaning of each of them. With particular attention and genuine delight, the children listened to the trembling sounds of the shofar, discovering for themselves one of the most important symbols of the approaching Rosh Hashanah.
The thematic week concluded with festive model meals (seudos) held in all groups of the preschool. During these, the children became acquainted with the traditional symbols of Rosh Hashanah, reinforced the knowledge they had gained, and felt even more deeply the atmosphere of the approaching holiday. Thanks to this approach, preparation for the Jewish New Year became for the children not only educational but also joyful, filled with vivid impressions and warm emotions.
“We strive to ensure that children from an early age not only learn about Jewish holidays but experience them with all their hearts – through play, creativity, and their own experience,” said preschool teacher Malka Averbukh. “This is how a sincere love for Jewish tradition is born, along with an understanding of the meaning of the holidays and a desire to preserve them throughout life. We are happy to see with what interest the children are preparing to greet Rosh Hashanah, and for the opportunity to raise them in an atmosphere of Jewish values, we sincerely thank the united and cohesive Jewish Community of Dnipro under the leadership of Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki.”
