At the Jewish Lyceum No. 144 named after Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, the leading educational institution of the Dnipro Jewish Community, Didan Notzach was celebrated – a special day symbolizing the victory of Holy Jewish Books and the inseparable bond of Chassidim with the Rebbe, knowledge, and spiritual heritage. For the lyceum, this became not just a date on the calendar but a bright, profound, and meaningful event that united the entire lyceum, both students and teachers.
For three days leading up to the holiday, the children performed special tasks related to books and Jewish tradition. They tidied up bookshelves, repaired books, read Tehillim (Psalms), studied the weekly Torah portion, and completed other tasks aimed at fostering respect for sacred texts and a love for learning. For each completed task, students received points – symbolic “Tevetikis.”
The culmination was the celebration of Didan Notzach itself, when, in accordance with the directives of the Lubavitcher Rebbe regarding the “redemption of books,” all students of the lyceum participated in this special mission. With the earned “Tevetikis,” the children purchased books for themselves with great joy, filling this process with personal meaning and sincere emotions. Thanks to the support of the Dnipro Jewish Community, the lyceum received a large number of books, including children’s literature, Igrot Kodesh (holy letters), Machzorim (prayer books for the holidays), Siddurim (prayer books), Torahs, Tehillim – true spiritual treasures of a Jewish home.
“Didan Notzach is our victory, and not only the victory of books,” says the Judaic Studies teacher at the Dnipro Jewish Lyceum, Leah Lazareva. “This event became a very important and bright page in the life of the lyceum. All the ‘captives’ were redeemed, but most importantly – the children felt a connection to the Torah, responsibility, and love for the book from early childhood. I sincerely thank you for these books, for the support, and for all that was, is, and will yet be, our united and cohesive Dnipro Jewish Community under the leadership of its Rav, Shmuel Kaminezki.”
