Rosh Hashanah report

Here is our Rosh Hashanah report:

We have 2 Rabbinical students here to help infuse the community with Holiday energy and atmosphere.
Interestingly enough, one of them is Netanel. I met him originally in Kiev, where he was learning Smicha - Rabbinical ordination, and on my last trip to France, we met again, and he graciously volunteered to come to come to Chernigov for Holidays.

The first night of Rosh Hashana, we had Tefilot, followed by a light Kiddush with the holiday symbols. It was attended by 40 people, some of them in synagogue for the first time!

For the holiday dinner we hosted in our home different Jewish dignitaries who enjoyed themself until midnight!

For the first day, we had about 50 people for the tefilot, again followed by a light kiddush.

In the evening, we has a large community meal with shofar blowing, Tashlich, and a special children's program. It was attended by 70 people, including youth.

We also visited Jews who could not leave their work to blow shofar for them there.
The first day of the Holiday alone, we walked about 17-18 Km.

The second day attendance was a bit lower - about 25-30 people

For Shabbat, even after two full days of holidays, we over 20 men in the synagogue (and more ladies)!

A weekend with an impact

Each Shabbat, after services, the attendees sit down for a 'farbrengen' or Chassidic gathering, where, along with some good kosher food, they sing, tell stories, and are inspired to keep their Jewish identity and pride burning strong.

This past Shabbat was also the 10th of Shvat, which, this year, marked 60 years since the passing of the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, and 60 years since the Rebbe took on the leadership of the Chabad movement.

Tens of people participated in an especially inspiring farbrengen. The lavish spread was appreciated by the participants. They sat wide-eyed as Rabbi Silberstein related stories of personal encounters with the Rebbe. The singing of niggunim (chassidic melodies), the warm atmosphere, and the words of Torah kept the crowd mesmerized for over 3 hours. The farbrengen culminated in the participants committing to a positive resolution they would do. One man plans to have a brit milah.

The STARS youth group met on Sunday. Class began with a fun and intellectually stimulating team building game. Following the class, there was a special farbrengen. The students enjoyed a delicious, hot meal. At the end of an especially warm and intimate farbrengen, the students wrote letters to the Rebbe in which they asked for blessings. They too took on good resolutions, including: putting on tefillin every day, attending synagogue on Shabbat, learning hebrew, and one young man resolved that come what may, he will only marry a Jew.

Global Warming in the Jewish Soul

Highlights: Despite the extreme cold outside, literally and spiritually, in the Jewish community of Chernigov, souls are being lit, one by one, and the warmth is spreading. Can we ever know all the inspiring and lasting results of 8 days packed with day after day of excitement?

Chernigov, Ukraine - - The streets of Chernigov are covered with a foot of snow, which, by all appearances, is here to stay, at least for the duration of the extra long winter. Each new snowfall just adds another layer of snow, or sometimes ice, to the already frozen ground.

Global warming is nowhere in evidence.

Within the Jewish community, though, and more specifically, in the hearts of the Jewish people of Chernigov, the ice is thawing as the global impact of the fiery Chanukah lights warms even the most frozen souls.

Chanukah began with the Jewish women gathering for an evening of pure Chanukah fun. Interspersed throughout the program was games, stories, laughter, and, of course, a menorah lighting.

Warming effect: Natasha was so inspired, every night of Chanukah she held a Menorah lighting at home, giving Chanukah gelt and treats to the children afterward. Even her 17 year old son wanted to join in with child-like enthusiasm.

On the 5th night of Chanukah, the synagogue was transformed into Café Jerusalem as the men celebrated the Rabbi’s birthday. They enjoyed a beautiful meal and fascinating program, but the highlight of the event was the positive resolutions the guests took on in lieu of a physical birthday gift. A raffle was then drawn, giving a gift back to someone who decided to do an extra mitzvah. The energy in the room was palpable as Sasha won a beautiful Menorah. Looking at his face, it was clear that Sasha felt he’d won the lottery. His Menorah, he explained, was proof that G-d loves him, imperfections and all.

Warming effect: The next Shabbos, 10 new members joined the synagogue, and they are now shlepping their friends in one by one.

The youth group, comprised of college students and young professionals, had a blast at a fun Chanukah party, decorating doughnuts, playing a Jewish version of “Who wants to be a millionaire?, and mostly just celebrating Judaism in the company of other young Jews.

Warming effect: This past Shabbos, in the wake of the Chanukah party, Jewish students joined us for a Friday night dinner, reveling in the holiness of Shabbos, and this has evolved into the monthly place to be.

As Chanukah ended and the menorahs began to be packed away, the preschool children put on an adorable performance. They proudly sang and danced to Chanukah songs, lit the Menorah, and told over the story of Chanukah, to their parents’ delight. The children wrapped up a beautiful program – and the next day began to practice for their next performance. Upon requests from the parents, the next performance is already scheduled for tu b’shvat.

Warming effect: A new family came to visit and watch, and enjoyed themselves immensely. Now Darina is enrolled in preschool, and, G-d willing, her 18 month old brother is not far behind. . .

The snowball effect is really gaining momentum!