The “Menorah Community” youth project—part of the Jewish Community of Dnipro and flourishing thanks to the efforts of the Zislin family—recently hosted another Torah class for women. The session focused on the pursuit of perfection, the setting of excessively high standards for oneself, and the recognition of one’s own inherent worth.
Titled “Is It Okay If I’m Not Perfect?”, the class was led by Osnat Liberman, who invited participants to reflect on whether a Jewish woman truly needs to conform to others’ ideas of perfection in order to feel worthy and significant.
The discussion centered on a scenario familiar to many women: the feeling that those around them are managing their responsibilities far more successfully. One woman seems to keep her home in perfect order, another manages to complete everything she sets out to do, and a third appears as though she never grows tired. Yet, beneath this outward appearance of well-being lie the realities others often don’t see—the daily burdens, the exhaustion, the private anxieties, and the efforts that frequently go unrecognized.
Drawing on Jewish tradition, the participants explored why individuals are often so harsh with themselves, and how the pursuit of self-improvement relates to the appreciation of one’s own value. Special emphasis was placed on the uniqueness of every soul and its distinct purpose; the goal, after all, is not to become like someone else, but to unfold one’s own potential and fulfill the singular mission entrusted to each person by the Almighty.
“It is crucial for every woman to understand that her worth is not defined by the number of tasks she completes, the perfect order of her home, or how well she meets the expectations of others,” noted Esti Zislina, co-director of the ‘Menorah Community’ project. “Such lessons help our participants not only to gain a deeper understanding of the Torah, but also to find answers to everyday life questions within its wisdom, to strengthen their self-confidence, and to recognize their place within the larger Jewish family. We are sincerely grateful for the opportunity to host these gatherings and to create a space for women to connect, support one another, and grow spiritually—all within the unified and cohesive Jewish community of Dnipro, under the leadership of Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky.”
