In honor of Rosh Chodesh Nissan, another gathering of the “Mothers and Daughters” project took place in the Dnipro Jewish Community, bringing together participants from the children’s program “DJCY – STL kids – JFuture” and the teen program “DJCY – STL Teens – EnerJew,” implemented by the Dnipro Jewish Community with the support of STL and projects of the JRNU foundation.
The theme of the gathering was dedicated to the month of Nissan – a time of renewal, spiritual preparation, and the approach of Pesach. The evening began with all participants taking an active part in a creative workshop, during which they decorated flower pots and planted sprouts of future flowers, symbolizing the renewal and growth inherent in the nature of this month. Following this, the participants enjoyed a sweet table, after which the main interactive part of the program began.
The continuation of the gathering was a staged game in a “court” format, in which participants presented the second season of a fictional reality project, “Menorah Show.” Divided into teams, mothers and daughters received characters with different attributes and had to defend them, arguing why their particular hero was the most “Jewish” and deserving of victory. The game took place in an atmosphere of engagement and active discussion, allowing participants to reconsider questions of Jewish identity and the diversity of paths within tradition.
To conclude the gathering, the participants together reached an important conclusion: there is no single correct way to be a Jew, as the story of Pesach and the account of the Four Sons teach us that every Jew is valuable – regardless of their level of observance or personal path. The gathering also focused on the approach of the 11th of Nissan – the birthday of the Lubavitcher Rebbe: participants took part in a quiz dedicated to his figure, and also learned about the significance of their own Jewish birthdays and the traditions of celebrating them.
“We wanted the theme of the month of Nissan and preparation for Pesach to be expressed not only through discussion, but also through participation, creativity, and shared experience,” said project coordinator Beila Letichevskaya. “The workshop and the game portion helped participants feel the atmosphere of renewal, and the conversation about Pesach and the 11th of Nissan added further meaning to the gathering. Our ‘Mothers and Daughters’ project continues to develop, creating a space where mothers and daughters together experience Jewish traditions and strengthen the connection between generations, thanks to the support of the Dnipro Jewish Community and its Chief Rabbi, Shmuel Kaminezki.”
