On the eve of the holy day of Yom Kippur, when the hearts of Jewish families are filled with special awe and a yearning for spiritual purification, a demonstrative Kaparot ceremony was held at the “Beit Zindlicht” kindergarten of the Dnipro Jewish Community. This kindergarten, which has been nurturing the youngest members of the community for many years in a spirit of love for the Torah, traditions, and good deeds, transformed the ritual into a genuine, joyous, and luminous celebration for the little ones.
The kindergarten director, Risha Gurevich, who constantly ensures that every child not only feels safe and comfortable but also becomes acquainted from an early age with the rich spiritual heritage of the Jewish people, shared her thoughts on this day: “Introducing children to Jewish traditions is an important part of our work. We strive to make the learning process not formal or overly complex, but interesting and accessible to everyone, taking into account the age characteristics of our little ones. Kaparot is one of those rituals that children particularly enjoy because it allows them not only to hear or imagine but also to see, touch, and feel something real and alive with their hands. The children don’t just observe from the sidelines; they become direct participants: they pet the birds, ask questions, take an active part in everything that happens, all while maintaining a sense of play and joy, playing in the fresh air.”
The kindergarten teachers, understanding the importance of combining children’s interest with precise adherence to tradition, prepared everything according to Jewish law. Each group had its own designated birds: roosters for the boys and hens for the girls. During the ceremony, the teachers, while circling the birds over the children, recited special prayers. The little ones joyfully repeated the words after them, learned to listen attentively, to reflect, and gradually grasp the profound symbolism of the ritual, which serves as a reminder of Purification and Atonement.
After the Kaparot ritual concluded, the entire kindergarten community – both children and adults – united their voices in sincere wishes of “Gmar Chatimah Tova!” and welcomed the new year with kind words. This special event, filled with warmth, joy, and a sense of unity, was a great success. The kindergarten staff, as well as the parents of the children who were direct witnesses and participants in the celebration, expressed their deep gratitude to the Jewish Community of Dnipro and personally to the Chief Rabbi of the city, Shmuel Kaminezki, for his unwavering support and for the opportunity to organize this important and memorable event for the children. Without a doubt, it will leave a deep mark on their hearts and help them feel the strength and beauty of Jewish traditions from an early age.
