A delegation from the Richmond Jewish Community (Virginia, USA) visited the Dnipro Jewish Community. The delegation included Sam Revenson, a member of the Board of Directors of the Richmond Jewish Community Federation, and Rabbi Menachem Mendel Lessoff, director of the Chabad Student Center at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). The visit was a significant event for strengthening ties between the communities and provided an opportunity for Jewish leaders from America to learn about the activities of one of the largest Jewish communities in Europe and to see firsthand the extensive system of spiritual, educational, social, humanitarian, and charitable projects operating in Dnipro.
During their stay in Dnipro, the guests visited the world’s largest Jewish center, “Menorah,” the “Golden Rose” Central Synagogue, and the “JMC” Jewish Medical Center. The delegation met with the Chief Rabbi of Dnipro and the region, Shmuel Kaminezki, and learned about the multifaceted work of the Dnipro Jewish Community, its educational initiatives, social programs, humanitarian projects, and numerous institutions that provide a full Jewish life for thousands of people of all ages.
Of particular interest to the guests was the unique experience of developing a modern Jewish community that encompasses a wide range of activities under its auspices, from preschool and school education to social, medical, youth, and charitable programs. The representatives from Richmond had the opportunity to learn in detail how the community’s work is structured and how projects aimed at preserving Jewish traditions, supporting families, and strengthening Jewish identity are implemented.
For the Richmond Jewish Community, this visit also held special significance, as the Richmond community has maintained partnership ties with the Zaporizhzhia Jewish Community for many years and actively participates in various humanitarian and public initiatives aimed at supporting Jewish life in Ukraine.
“We are very pleased that this visit took place and that our guests were able to learn in detail about the life of the Dnipro Jewish Community, its numerous projects, and institutions,” noted Rabbi Reuven Kaminezki. “This visit was very warm and productive. We were especially delighted by the gift our friends from Richmond brought – mezuzahs intended to spread the light of Yiddishkeit, Torah, and mitzvos. It is very important for us to feel a connection with such a wonderful and renowned community as the Richmond Jewish Community in Virginia, one of the oldest Jewish communities in the New World. We hope that this acquaintance will be another step toward strengthening friendship and cooperation between our communities.”
