At the “Beit Tzindlicht” children’s educational center—a leading preschool institution of the Jewish Community of Dnipro—an exciting summer quest titled “Cities and Countries” took place. During the game, the children embarked on a symbolic journey to various corners of the world, learning about the culture, traditions, and interesting features of different countries. This format transforms learning into a true adventure, filled with vivid emotions, discoveries, and new experiences.
The first stop was Ukraine. Here, the little ones were introduced to traditional Ukrainian dishes and together created a bright sunflower field—one of the most recognizable symbols of our country. Next, the quest participants traveled to Israel, where they recalled the Avos and Imahos of the Jewish people, learned about the history of ancient Israel, performed a lively Jewish dance, and tasted traditional Israeli treats.
The next stop was America. The young travelers were greeted by a real cowboy, who introduced them to the world of the Wild West. The children also learned about the world-famous “770” building in New York and its special significance for Jewish life, after which they happily took part in a fun relay race. The journey concluded in Italy, where everyone had the chance to feel like a true chef by making their own pizza with their own hands.
At each station, participants received a piece of a large puzzle, and at the end of the quest they assembled it together, symbolically uniting all the countries into one great journey. This interactive program helped the children not only broaden their horizons and gain new knowledge, but also to see that discovering different cultures can be exciting, creative, and joyful.
“For a child, every new discovery becomes a real event—especially when it happens through play, creativity, and personal involvement,” said preschool teacher Naomi Chaya Yavorskaya. “Such ‘journeys’ help children to explore different parts of the world with curiosity, to respect the cultures of various peoples, and at the same time to feel an even deeper connection to their own Jewish traditions. This is how we combine the joy of childhood, learning, and Jewish education within the united and cohesive Jewish Community of Dnipro under the leadership of Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki.”
