At the “Beit Tzindlicht” children’s educational center, a leading preschool institution of the Jewish Community of Dnipro, the traditional kaporos ceremony was held for the students on the eve of Yom Kippur. The educators helped conduct this ancient and beautiful ceremony, filled with deep meaning, for the children on the playground in front of the preschool building.
To ensure the children participated in the ceremony consciously, the educators had beforehand introduced them to its content and significance. The students examined toy chickens, learned why Jews perform kaporos before Yom Kippur, and then themselves became participants in this important custom.
The preparation for Yom Kippur also included other themed activities. The children baked traditional lekach, listened to the story of the prophet Yonah, and completed a creative task with scales, reflecting on good and bad deeds. All of this helped the students become more deeply acquainted with the traditions of Yom Kippur and prepare to greet it.
“It is very important to us that children from an early age not only learn about Jewish traditions but also take part in their observance themselves,” said preschool teacher Malka Averbukh. “This is how a child from an early age begins to feel themselves part of a centuries-old Jewish tradition, and the observance of mitzvos and customs becomes a natural part of their life. This is very important for raising the new generation of Jews in Ukraine, and for the opportunity to raise children in such an atmosphere, we sincerely thank the united and cohesive Jewish Community of Dnipro under the leadership of Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki.”
