Another gathering of the participants of the youth educational project of the Jewish Community of Dnipro, “DJCY-STL-STARS Dnipro,” combined team games, the study of the weekly Torah portion of Lech Lecha, and a lesson dedicated to the Jewish understanding of modesty, self-esteem, and a person’s purpose. A special moment of the program was the viewing of a unique video in which the leader of our generation, the Seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, spoke in Russian about our city.
The gathering began with team games, during which the participants built towers from wooden “Jenga” blocks, tested their stability, and competed in team curling. These activities became not only an opportunity to display agility, ingenuity, and the ability to act together, but also a vivid illustration of an important idea – any strong structure requires a reliable foundation, and in the same way, a person needs an inner support based on their convictions and values.
This idea found its continuation during the study of the weekly Torah portion of Lech Lecha, which tells of how Avraham, at the command of the Almighty, leaves the familiar world and sets out into the unknown. The story of the patriarch of the Jewish people gave the participants an occasion to reflect on what gives a person the strength to move forward, to make difficult decisions, and to remain faithful to their principles even when the future remains uncertain.
Another important part of the gathering was the lesson “The Purpose of Modesty,” dedicated to the Jewish view of self-esteem and the understanding of one’s own virtues. The participants discussed why true modesty does not at all mean belittling oneself or denying one’s abilities. On the contrary, it presupposes the ability to objectively assess one’s strengths, acknowledge shortcomings, and constantly work on oneself. For every person is created in the image of the Almighty, endowed with unique abilities, and has their own purpose, and therefore it is important not only to be aware of the gifts received but also to use them for good deeds and the fulfillment of one’s mission.
A special place in the program was occupied by the viewing of a unique video recording in which the Lubavitcher Rebbe speaks in Russian about the city where his childhood and youth were spent. For the participants of the Dnipro project, this became an opportunity to touch the words of the Rebbe directly connected with the city that occupies such an important place in the history of Chabad and in the life of the Rebbe’s family.
After the educational part, the participants were able to continue socializing over refreshments, discuss what they had heard, and share their impressions. Thus, the team games, the study of Torah, and the turn to the words of the Rebbe became parts of a single program that helps young people not only acquire Jewish knowledge but also find in it guideposts for their own lives.
“It is fundamentally important to us that young people not merely become acquainted with Jewish values but learn to see in them the foundation of their own decisions and actions, for an understanding of one’s abilities, responsibility, and purpose helps a person lay a strong foundation for their entire life,” noted Chaya Maltseva, director of the “DJCY-STL-STARS Dnipro” project. “It is precisely such a task that we set before our educational program, combining the study of Torah with personal development and the formation of a conscious Jewish identity. And we are very grateful for the opportunity to carry out this work, raising the new generation of active and responsible members of the united and cohesive Jewish Community of Dnipro under the leadership of Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki.”
