The Ukrainian institution “Sohnut-Ukraine,” a subdivision of the “Jewish Agency for Israel,” held a series of summer events, including children’s festivals (styled after traditional summer camps or, in modern terms, retreats) and a large family Shabbaton in Zakarpattia.
Oleksandra Katok, the youth program coordinator at the “Sohnut-Ukraine” branch, described how such a festival took place in Dnipro: “A DAY CAMPUS organized by the ‘Sohnut-Ukraine’ branch for children aged 6 to 14 was held on the grounds of the Jewish Lyceum No. 144. Over these five days, the festival participants embarked on a real journey around the world and learned about the history and traditions of Jews during the times of the Diaspora. In addition to classes and Hebrew lessons, fun activities were held, one of which was an Israeli fair. There, participants completed mini-quests and restored all the stalls, and together they celebrated the event with a party featuring delicious lemonades. The favorite part of the festival was the creative workshops – children made soft toys, paintings with 3D drawings, and everyone also had the opportunity to dye a t-shirt using the tie-dye technique.”
Oleksandra Katok also shared details about the family Shabbaton for participants of Sohnut’s Sunday programs (aged 6-14) and their parents, which took place in Zakarpattia: “During these incredible three days, the participants, in a family setting, managed to experience the true atmosphere of Shabbat, gain a lot of new knowledge, and positive emotions. Lectures for parents were conducted by a speaker, Esther from Israel, who spoke in more detail about Shabbat, revealed all the intricacies of the Havdalah ceremony, and shared many interesting facts about Jerusalem. Children, together with their parents, attended evening events, one of which was a very interesting and large-scale game of ‘Israeli Monopoly.’ And, of course, a workshop was not forgotten: participants of the Sunday studios, together with their parents, decorated candles with wax and acrylic, which they took home and were able to light on the following Shabbat.
The seminar was attended by the Head of the Representative Office of the Jewish Agency “Sohnut” in Ukraine and Moldova, Binyamin Haddad. He was invited to make the blessing for Kiddush on Shabbat and for Havdalah, and he also gave an interesting lecture for parents on the topic ‘Getting to Know Israel,’ which was dedicated to interesting facts, the population, the education system, and the realities of Israel. All interested individuals had the opportunity to ask questions that interested them and talk with Binyamin Haddad.”
