The Purim Story, as told by the adorable Gan Chai children

Youth Activity

Youth is very important for every nation, because it’s the future. And it depends on us they will be worthy successor or not. That’s why we keep on our work with them. They are very creative and talented people. Every time spent with them is special.

Women's Club

Every week all women of our community have the possibility to visit our center and study Tora and Jewish traditions. It’s not just a Club, it’s the great warm place, where you can be yourself, it’s the  place, where you can come with all your troubles and difficulties, the place, where you get support.

Men's club

What is the most important thing for every Jew? You are right! Of course, it’s keeping our traditions for next generations. How could we do this? Through studying Tora, visiting Synagogue, then teaching our children.

Gan Chai Life

Our Gan Chai keep on its activity. Do you know what our power is? Our children are alive. They study in atmosphere of Jewish love and kindness. They are learning through play.

Thank you! Together, we did it!

On to the future!

Happy Passover!

Have a very happy and kosher Passover, 

To you and your entire family!

May we experience true Freedom !

Yisroel and Aliza Silberstein
Chernigov, Ukraine

PS please enjoy the attached pictures of Jewish children learning and living Passover.

Give the gift of celebrating freedom Please partner with us, your donation will help one more Jew have a place Seder table:

www.JCCUkraine.com

Chanukah in Chernigov

I love this video of action in Chernigov this Chanukah. Enjoy!

Presenting... Menorah Lighting in the Red Square!

JewCrew Young Adults Having a Chanuka Blast!

Chernigov’s ‘Red Square’ Turns into a Source of Light

A crowd 500 strong stood in the ‘Red Square’ in the Northern Ukrainian city of Chernigov and watched in anticipation as the cherry picker slowly rose up 20 feet to light the giant Menorah. The excitement grew and the pride on that square was palpable.

This year, the second of this new tradition, a public Menorah was lit in the central square of Chernigov. It was a powerful event and the participants really identified with the public display of Jewish pride. Rabbi Yisroel Silberstein inspired the crowd with a thought about the power of light and the need to keep adding light.

Sveta has been working in the theater for 40 years, day in and day out. It is a standout in the city, majestically greeting all who enter the city. She never thought she would live to see this day, with a public menorah front of the theater.

Alexander, from Chernigov originally, now lives in Kiev. He happened to be in town for the day, and came over to the Red Square to see what the hype was about. The Menorah lighting and public display of Judaism, here, in a place where people tend to hide their Jewish identity, touched him deeply. He pledged to keep in touch with his Jewish identity.

The public Menorah lighting was biggest display of Judaism this Chanukah, and thank G-d, there were many more.

A Chanukah burger party for students; for children – a  family fun day and escape room. The men enjoyed a dinner and farbrengen; and the women had a blast making herbal oil bottles and watching a Chanukah sand show.


Perhaps most touching, this year, students visited lonely, elderly people at home. 146 Holocaust survivors were thrilled to receive visitors, light the Menorah, and have Chanukah parties from the comfort of their own home.

Exciting News: Renewal of the Chernigov Jewish Center

We are so excited to be renovating our synagogue. It's amazing to watch the center turn into a warm and welcoming place. 

Dedication opportunities:

Aron Kodesh - $6000

Bima - $2500

Rabbi's Study - $1800

Children's classroom - $5000

Chazan Shtender $1250

Rabbi's Shtender $1250

Tables $180 Each (30 tables)

Chairs 2 For $180 (60 chairs)

For other dedication opportunities, please reach out by email. rabbi@jccukraine.com

Pesach's in the Air

Matza Baking

We did it! We reached $48,000! And now on to a new goal!

More matchers stepped up, bringing us to a new goal of $58,000

We can do it!

Donate here!

Feel the Energy!

Tomorrow, Make a Miracle in 24 Hours - $48k - all or nothing!

Tomorrow, Tuesday, starting at 7:00am EST, you will have the special opportunity to make a real difference for the Jewish community of Chernigov.

There are 4,000 Jews in Chernigov, and they waiting for our help.The children who have a blast in day camp, who play together in preschool, who learn in hebrew school. The needy who wait desperately for the lifeline that a food package provides. The men and women who learn in the Kollel Torah - an exciting learning program that is making a Jewish revolution. The hundreds who come to holidays and celebrate life cycle events together, learning about their heritage after a too-long Communist reign.

4,000 Jews. They have one address to turn to: The Jewish Community Center which is committed to providing for all their needs.

In partnership with Charidy.com, and with your help, we are raising $48,000 for the Jewish community of Chernigov.

We have 3 generous matchers who have pledged to quadruple your donation. That means that for every dollar that you give, the Jewish community of Chernigov will get $4. This is an incredible opportunity to show your support and make a real difference to our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.

Tuesday at 7:00am EST this page will be updated with the link to the donation page. Stay tuned!

Here’s the catch: It’s all or nothing. If we do not raise all the money in time, we lose it all.

Spread the word! w: JccUkraine.com  t: 347.410.6002 e: Rabbi@JccUkraine.com    #makeamiracle

Big news!

Get ready! On Tuesday, Rosh Chodesh Sivan, June 7, at 2 pm, you will have the opportunity to unleash your kindness for the Jewish Community of Chernigov!

There are 4,000 Jews in Chernigov, and they waiting for our help.The children who have a blast in day camp, who play together in preschool, who learn in Hebrew school. The needy who wait desperately for the lifeline that a food package provides. The men and women who learn in the Kolel Torah - an exciting learning program that is making a Jewish revolution. The hundreds who come to holidays and celebrate life cycle events together, learning about their heritage after a too-long Communist reign.

Together, let's make a miracle!

Farbrengen

Recently, I received a phone call from RY (a photographer from Chernigov who had a brit, a bar mitzvah and chupa all within the space of just 2 years :)) who has been living in Kiev with his wife for past few years. RY asked me what the plans are for Tuesday, 24 of Tevet, the Yom Hilula of the Alter Rebbe, the first Chabad Rebbe. To be honest, we were thinking of making it a quieter affair, and possibly taking a trip to the ohel (resting place) of the Alter Rebbe with a small farbrengen.

Of course I answered, "I am sure that after our phone call we will be having a farbrengen...." He told me that was about to leave town for a week, but first he needed to make sure that Chernigov would be having a farbrengen, and he was ready to donate 10% from his upcoming salary for the cause!

After such self sacrifice, we immediately organized a big farbrengen. Despite a snow storm, and freezing temperatures of -20 degrees, 30 Jews trekked out to hear about the Alter Rebbe's self sacrifice for Jews to do teshuvah and return to the path of Torah and mitzvos.

The farbrengen was, of course, beautiful and inspiring. The attendees resolved to join a new kollel opening in Chernigov to join a daily Torah class.

One good deed leads to another. The community is already taking initiative and planning the next event, a farbrengen for Yud Shvat, and a women's club meeting in honor of Tu B'shvat.