An important event took place at the central “Golden Rose” Synagogue in Dnipro – the ceremonial opening of the newly renovated Prayer Item Rooms in the synagogue lobby, where congregants will be able to store everything necessary for prayer – tallitot, tefillin, and much more. The Prayer Item Rooms are a gift to the Dnipro Jewish Community from Yosef and Avital Lea Nikitenko and their children, Chana Golda, Tsila, and Sara.
The opening ceremony took place immediately after the morning Shacharit prayer and was attended by numerous congregants of the central synagogue. The event featured addresses by the Chief Rabbi of Dnipro, Shmuel Kaminezki, a respected member of the Dnipro Jewish Community, Natan Zolotarevsky, and the donor himself, the respected community member Yosef Nikitenko.
Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki emphasized the symbolism of opening the Prayer Item Rooms specifically during the weekly Torah portion “Chayei Sarah,” which recounts the importance of Abraham’s acquisition of a plot of land in Eretz Yisrael, underscoring the weight Judaism places on the right of ownership. He noted that congregants can now rent compartments for their prayer items, which will not only be convenient but will also strengthen their connection to the “Golden Rose” Synagogue and the Dnipro Jewish Community. Reb Natan Zolotarevsky, on behalf of all congregants, warmly thanked the Nikitenko family for their care for the comfort of those who regularly come to the synagogue for prayers.
Amid applause from those present, the ribbon at the entrance to the renovated premises was cut by Mr. Nikitenko, his wife, and daughters, after which a commemorative plaque in the synagogue lobby was solemnly unveiled. “I am very glad to have been granted the opportunity to do this for the Dnipro Jewish Community,” stated Yosef Nikitenko during the opening ceremony. “Many people do great and important things for the revival of Jewish life, but it is important for me to make a contribution on behalf of my family and to do something good, so that Jews feel comfortable and at ease during prayer in our wonderful ‘Golden Rose’ Synagogue.”
