At the “Beit Tzindlicht” children’s educational center, a leading preschool institution of the Jewish Community of Dnipro, a grand celebration was held for all the children on the first day of Chol HaMoed Sukkot. After a week of preparation, the children were able to fulfill the main mitzvos of one of the most joyful holidays of the Jewish calendar, which the Torah calls “the Time of Our Rejoicing,” and to spend this day in the atmosphere of a true Jewish holiday.
The celebration began in the festive sukkah, where the children fulfilled the mitzvah of dwelling in the sukkah, took part in a festive meal, and also fulfilled the mitzvah of netilas lulav. It was here that the children were able to put into practice everything they had learned during the preparation for Sukkot, feeling themselves full-fledged participants in the celebration.
After fulfilling the mitzvos, an exciting journey through festive stations awaited the little ones. At the ribbon and glitter station, the children happily played, danced, and had fun, creating a truly festive mood. Then they watched a puppet show about how a Jewish family prepares for Sukkot, builds the sukkah, and fulfills the mitzvah of the four species of plants. Another favorite station was decorating festive cookies in the shape of an esrog, lulav, and other symbols of the holiday. For visiting each station, the children received a special sticker, and after collecting all four – like the four species of plants – they received a festive gift.
“It is very important to us that children from an early age not only know about the mitzvos of Sukkot but also joyfully fulfill them themselves, feeling that Jewish tradition is a living part of their own lives,” noted preschool teacher Malka Averbukh. “We strive to ensure that every holiday becomes for our children a time of joy, new discoveries, and sincere connection with Jewish tradition. This is how love for fulfilling mitzvos is formed and the new generation of Jews in Ukraine is raised. And for the opportunity to hold such celebrations, we sincerely thank the united and cohesive Jewish Community of Dnipro under the leadership of Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki.”
