At the Beit Chabad and “Levi Yitzchak” Synagogue on Nauky Avenue (formerly Gagarin Avenue), a grand women’s celebration of Chol HaMoed Sukkos and Simchas Beis HaShoeivah – the joy of water drawing – took place. A large group of women gathered together to celebrate one of the most joyful periods of the Jewish calendar, filled with the special atmosphere of unity, fellowship, and observance of the holiday’s traditions.
The festive program began, as is customary in the Jewish Community of Dnipro, with the viewing of a video of the leader of our generation, the Seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson. Then the participants were greeted by Rebbetzin Risha Gurevich, wife of the rabbi of the “Levi Yitzchak” Synagogue, Yisroel Aryeh-Leib Gurevich, and her mother, Rebbetzin of Dnipro Chana Kaminezki.
One of the most interesting parts of the program was an unusual psychological game dedicated to how much our perception of the world depends on our point of view. The participants were given specially prepared bistable images – a special type of optical illusion in which the same picture can be perceived differently depending on which of its details one’s attention is focused on. For example, in one and the same image, one can see a young woman or an elderly woman. This became a starting point for a discussion about how much depends on the angle from which a person looks at what is happening, and which “lens” they choose for perceiving the world. Special attention was given to how important it is to learn to look at what is happening through a positive Jewish and Chassidic lens, capable of helping one see a different meaning where the first glance paints a completely different picture.
The creative continuation of the celebration was a workshop on making unusual decorative candles. Using melted colored wax, the participants decorated white candles, creating their own compositions intended to bring an atmosphere of coziness, joy, and inspiration into the home.
An important part of the gathering was a festive kosher meal. Fellowship, creativity, and the joy of celebrating together were combined in this gathering with the Jewish and Chassidic content of Chol HaMoed Sukkos and Simchas Beis HaShoeivah, and the entire celebration took place with great spiritual elevation.
“This celebration became a very important event for the women whom our Beit Chabad has united, and we thank from the bottom of our hearts its founders – the esteemed members of the Jewish Community of Dnipro, Levi Sharinov and Yitzchak Dveris, thanks to whom we have this beautiful synagogue, a wonderful sukkah, and the opportunity to gather together, study, fulfill mitzvos, and rejoice in Jewish holidays,” noted Rebbetzin Risha Gurevich. “But above all, we are grateful to those who created the opportunity for the revival and development of Jewish life in our city and provide it with comprehensive support, enabling Jews to fulfill mitzvos, bring nachas to the Rebbe, and spread spiritual light to the whole world – our beloved united and cohesive Jewish Community of Dnipro under the leadership of Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki.”
