The second meeting of the “Rosh Chodesh Club” program for girls attending the “DJCY-STL-STARS Dnipro” youth project of the Dnipro Jewish Community, implemented with the support of STL, was dedicated to the beginning of the month of Kislev and the important dates observed during this time of the year.
At the beginning, the program leader of the “Rosh Chodesh Club,” Morah Chaya Nachshon, spoke about the most significant dates of the month of Kislev: the 1st of Kislev, when the chassidim saw the Rebbe again after five weeks of serious illness; the 14th of Kislev – the anniversary of the Rebbe’s wedding; and the 19th of Kislev – the “New Year of Chassidut,” the anniversary of the Alter Rebbe’s liberation from Russian imprisonment. Chaya Nachshon paid considerable attention to various aspects of the response to the question posed by the Almighty to Adam – “Where are you?” – which has a direct connection to the story of the Alter Rebbe and relates to every person at any moment of their life.
Following the discussion, the club participants took part in a master class on decorating clay crafts with a marine theme. These items can be used as candle holders or as a base for a lamp, as the month of Kislev is closely associated with the idea of spreading light, both physical and spiritual.
“The girls really enjoy such informal, heartfelt meetings with their favorite mentor,” said Chaya Maltseva, head of the “DJCY-STL-STARS Dnipro” project. “The light refreshments, the opportunity to create beautiful home accessories with their own hands, and the deep spiritual content of the conversation all create a special atmosphere of trust and mutual understanding. It helps them experience the world of authentic Yiddishkeit and recognize themselves as part of a large Jewish family – the united and close-knit Dnipro Jewish Community under the leadership of its Chief Rabbi, Shmuel Kaminezki.”
