The “Menorah Community” youth project of the Jewish Community of Dnipro, which has been actively developing thanks to the efforts of the Zislina family, recently held another women’s class dedicated to the weekly portion of Nitzavim-Vayelech, the day of Chai Elul, the approaching holiday of Rosh Hashanah, and the spiritual meaning of the choices a person makes every day.
The speaker for the gathering was Edna Yudovich, who invited the participants to reflect deeply on one of the central ideas of Parshas Nitzavim-Vayelech – the words of the Torah “choose life” – which reveal the significance of a person’s daily decisions and their impact on one’s spiritual path.
During the session, the participants reflected on how daily choices gradually shape a person’s life, which actions, thoughts, and decisions should be left in the passing year, and what to fill the approaching new year with as Rosh Hashanah draws near. Special attention was given to the personal question that became one of the main themes of the gathering: “If I were given another year – what do I truly want to experience in it?”
A separate part of the lesson focused on the meaning and significance of Chai Elul – the birthday of the founder of the Chassidic movement, the Baal Shem Tov, and the founder of the Chabad movement, the Alter Rebbe. The participants discussed how the teachings of Chassidus help a modern person fill their life with Chassidic meaning, joy, and a constant connection to the Almighty, as well as the significance of this day for spiritual preparation for the new year.
“It was very important for the girls to see that the Torah’s call to ‘choose life’ is addressed to every person every day, helping us reflect on which decisions truly bring us closer to fulfilling the will of the Almighty and make our lives filled with true meaning,” said Esti Zislina, co-director of the project. “Such gatherings help us prepare more deeply for Rosh Hashanah, consciously enter the new year, and understand that it is the daily choice of faithfulness to Jewish tradition, the observance of mitzvos, and spiritual growth that opens the path of blessing for a person, strengthening our beloved united and cohesive Jewish Community of Dnipro under the leadership of Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki.”
