The latest meeting of the Rosh Chodesh Club program for girls attending the Dnipro Jewish Community’s youth project, DJCY-STL-STARS Dnipro, supported by STL, was dedicated to the beginning of the month of Nissan and the approaching holiday of Passover, reflecting on its spiritual meaning and the importance of freedom in the life of every person.
During the meeting, Rosh Chodesh Club host Chaya Nachshon invited the participants to discuss various models of understanding freedom and how the Jewish perspective interprets this concept. Particular attention was paid to how the release from slavery and the acceptance of service to the Almighty do not contradict the idea of freedom, but rather reveal its true meaning. Participants reflected on how true freedom is connected to a person’s inner state, their spiritual choice, and the ability to realize their Divine soul through the fulfillment of the Torah and the commandments. The meeting also discussed the special features of the month of Nisan as a time of spiritual renewal and preparation for Passover, including the traditions and commandments associated with this period.
A separate and important topic of the meeting was the 11th of Nisan—the birthday of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Participants discussed the significance of birthdays in Jewish tradition as a special moment connected to a person’s destiny, and how the appearance of a figure such as the Rebbe is a tremendous gift for the entire Jewish people. They discussed the Rebbe’s connection with every Jew, regardless of their level of observance or affiliation, as well as each person’s personal responsibility to strengthen this connection. Stories were shared of the Rebbe’s care for every Jew, including ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to celebrate Passover with dignity.
Following the theoretical part, a master class on making scented handmade soap was held, which served as a practical extension of the meeting and an important part of the holiday preparations. The participants enthusiastically engaged in the process, creating their own products and imbuing the class with an atmosphere of shared creativity.
“We see how important these monthly Rosh Chodesh Club meetings are for the girls. They offer not only an opportunity to learn, but also to see a living example like the remarkable Chaya Nachshon – a young, beautiful, energetic, and successful woman who is deeply connected to the Torah and the commandments and lives according to Jewish traditions. It is this harmonious image that becomes an inspiration and a guide for the participants,” says Chaya Maltseva, head of the DJCY-STL-STARS Dnipro project. “These meetings help the girls not only gain a deeper understanding of Jewish values but also live them out in practice, combining study with action. This allows them to experience the meaning of tradition and strengthen their connection to Jewish life, feeling part of a united and cohesive Jewish community of Dnipro under the leadership of its Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezky.”
