At Levi Yitzchak Schneerson Jewish Lyceum No. 144, the leading educational institution of the Dnipro Jewish Community, a systematic mentoring program has concluded. It served as an important part of the students’ educational and values-based support throughout the academic year and was implemented with the support and supervision of the Lyceum’s Director, Elena Krasnova.
As part of this program, teachers from the Hebrew and Traditions Department held monthly informal meetings with their classes, creating a space for trusting communication where they discussed key issues related to values, friendship, and life goals, as well as the ideas behind the GPS Soul concept, which consistently supported students throughout the year and shaped their inner personal navigation.
The final mentoring meeting served as the culminating event of the entire program, bringing together students from different age groups—grades 7-8 with mentor Leah Lazareva, and grades 9-11 with mentor Aliza Rabinovich—allowing them to summarize the work accomplished in a relaxed and meaningful interaction between students and teachers.
This meeting took on a special and symbolic significance because it took place on the 14th of Iyar, the holiday of Passover Sheni, the holiday of second chances. This allowed the final discussion to be imbued with additional meaning, connected to the opportunity to rethink, correct, and move forward, and to emphasize the importance of perseverance and continued personal development.
During the meeting, the students prepared posters expressing gratitude for their mentors and class teachers. A joint viewing of videos featuring key events of the year, both academic and extracurricular, was organized, allowing them to document their journey and reflect on their shared experiences. The final element was a surprise treat prepared by the mentors, which naturally continued the atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.
The class teachers emphasized the importance of the mentoring program as a tool for creating a unified educational space and strengthening the school community, noting that regular meetings helped students better understand their shared value system and perceive the lyceum as a unified environment of support and development.
“We are sincerely grateful for the opportunity to create a space of trust, open conversations, and genuine support for our students throughout the year,” noted Aliza Rabinovich, Deputy Director of the Lyceum for Jewish Traditions. “And for supporting our mentoring meetings, which helped the children feel like we are one family, for the inspiration that remains in the students’ hearts, and for the journey we have walked together, we wholeheartedly thank the Lyceum Director, Elena Krasnova, and our beloved Jewish Community of Dnipro, under the leadership of Chief Rabbi of Dnipro Shmuel Kaminezki.”
Our website is pleased to publish testimonials about this program from the homeroom teachers who participated:
Alla Litvinenko, 9th-grade homeroom teacher:
“We sincerely thank Leya Lazareva and Aliza Rabinovich for the wonderful homeroom meeting and for the opportunity to express our gratitude for the support they provided to their classes throughout the year. As a homeroom teacher, I want to emphasize the importance of mentoring meetings, which help students understand that we are one family.” Today’s meeting was a warm interaction between students and teachers, filled with respect and gratitude. And a pleasant surprise—their favorite sushi—truly delighted everyone.”
Svetlana Romenskaya, 11th-grade homeroom teacher:
“The 11th-grade students are sincerely grateful for the warm and frank meetings with Aliza Rabinovich, which became a space for trust and important conversations. Special thanks for the close interaction with their homeroom teacher. Such meetings are inspiring and leave a significant mark on the students’ hearts.”
Tatyana Bilyarchik, 8th-grade homeroom teacher:
“Leya is not only a wonderful teacher, but also a very warm and caring person. Thank you for being there for our children; they sincerely appreciate and love you. Every meeting with you was important and memorable for them.”
Svetlana Chernyshova, 7th-grade homeroom teacher:
“Today, our girls, our mentors—Leya and Aliza—held their last mentoring meeting of the year. It was truly wonderful.” We reminisced about the events of this school year and wrote many kind words to our homeroom teacher, Leia—our fairy—and the other teachers. “Leia, we sincerely thank you for this school year, for being our mentor, advisor, and helper. You prepared so meticulously for all the meetings, so eager to bring joy to the children. You were sincere with them. Kindness is always returned with kindness, love with love. We love and appreciate you very much.”
