A Beautiful Jewish Wedding Ceremony Held in Dnipro
A beautiful Jewish wedding ceremony has taken place in Dnipro at the world’s largest Jewish centre, “Menorah,” where the sacred Chuppah and Kiddushin of Sarah Kaminetska, the daughter of Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky, Rabbi of Dnipro and the region, and Rebbetzin Chana Kaminetsky; and Yehuda Kes, the son of Dmytro and Olena Kes, were celebrated. The wedding was held in an intimate, family-like atmosphere, attended by a select circle of invited guests in accordance with Jewish tradition.
The celebrations began with the “Kabbalat Panim” ceremony, during which the bride received guests while seated on a special bridal throne, reciting Tehillim and offering blessings. Meanwhile, the groom, surrounded by men, delivered a Maamar “Lecha Dodi,” drawing down divine blessings for the establishment of a new Jewish home.
One of the most moving moments was the Badeken ceremony, after which the groom was escorted to the Chuppah, followed by the bride’s entrance, accompanied by their mothers holding candles symbolising the light of Torah and the Divine blessing upon the new home. The bride then circled the groom seven times, marking the creation of a new unity and the formation of their family.
The central Chuppah and Kiddushin ceremony was conducted by Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky, Rabbi of Dnipro and the region. Blessings were recited, the Ketubah was read aloud, and the Sheva Brachot were performed, culminating in the traditional breaking of the glass to the singing of “Im Eshkachech Yerushalayim.” Following the joyful exclamation of “Mazel Tov!”, the couple proceeded to the Yichud room, while guests were invited to a festive celebratory meal.
The wedding banquet continued the spirit of celebration with lots of music, dancing, heartfelt congratulations, and an atmosphere of genuine Jewish joy. The event marked a deeply significant and uplifting moment for the entire Jewish community of Dnipro.
The Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine extends its heartfelt congratulations to the newlyweds. We wish them happiness, harmony, peace, and love for many long years. May they be blessed with children who bring them joy and fulfilment, and may their descendants be numerous. May all their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren grow in Torah, Chuppah, and good deeds, bringing pride to their family and abundant nachas to the Rebbe.
Mazel Tov!
A beautiful Jewish wedding ceremony has taken place in Dnipro at the world’s largest Jewish centre, “Menorah,” where the sacred Chuppah and Kiddushin of Sarah Kaminetska, the daughter of Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky, Rabbi of Dnipro and the region, and Rebbetzin Chana Kaminetsky; and Yehuda Kes, the son of Dmytro and Olena Kes, were celebrated. The wedding was held in an intimate, family-like atmosphere, attended by a select circle of invited guests in accordance with Jewish tradition.
The celebrations began with the “Kabbalat Panim” ceremony, during which the bride received guests while seated on a special bridal throne, reciting Tehillim and offering blessings. Meanwhile, the groom, surrounded by men, delivered a Maamar “Lecha Dodi,” drawing down divine blessings for the establishment of a new Jewish home.
One of the most moving moments was the Badeken ceremony, after which the groom was escorted to the Chuppah, followed by the bride’s entrance, accompanied by their mothers holding candles symbolising the light of Torah and the Divine blessing upon the new home. The bride then circled the groom seven times, marking the creation of a new unity and the formation of their family.
The central Chuppah and Kiddushin ceremony was conducted by Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky, Rabbi of Dnipro and the region. Blessings were recited, the Ketubah was read aloud, and the Sheva Brachot were performed, culminating in the traditional breaking of the glass to the singing of “Im Eshkachech Yerushalayim.” Following the joyful exclamation of “Mazel Tov!”, the couple proceeded to the Yichud room, while guests were invited to a festive celebratory meal.
The wedding banquet continued the spirit of celebration with lots of music, dancing, heartfelt congratulations, and an atmosphere of genuine Jewish joy. The event marked a deeply significant and uplifting moment for the entire Jewish community of Dnipro.
The Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine extends its heartfelt congratulations to the newlyweds. We wish them happiness, harmony, peace, and love for many long years. May they be blessed with children who bring them joy and fulfilment, and may their descendants be numerous. May all their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren grow in Torah, Chuppah, and good deeds, bringing pride to their family and abundant nachas to the Rebbe.
Mazel Tov!
Passover Observed on Ukraine’s Frontline Amid War
Rabbi Yakiv Sinyakov, the Chaplin of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine and the 7th Rapid Response Corps of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has undertaken another journey to visit Ukrainian defenders at the frontline.
On the eve of Passover, the Chaplin delivered matzah shmura along with all the essential items required for the Seder, ensuring that even in the harshest of conditions, soldiers could observe the festival, uphold tradition and feel the warmth of spiritual unity. Passover is the festival of freedom, faith and hope, it serves as a powerful reminder of inner strength, and of the importance of preserving light even in the darkest of times.
Together with the troops, Rabbi Sinyakov conducted prayers, spoke with servicemen and offered spiritual and psychological support. Essential humanitarian aid was also provided.
Even on the frontline, amid daily danger and relentless challenges, faith, tradition and a sense of unity endure. It is these that fortify the spirit, sustain resilience, and affirm a simple yet enduring truth: that light will always prevail over darkness.
Rabbi Yakiv Sinyakov, the Chaplin of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine and the 7th Rapid Response Corps of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has undertaken another journey to visit Ukrainian defenders at the frontline.
On the eve of Passover, the Chaplin delivered matzah shmura along with all the essential items required for the Seder, ensuring that even in the harshest of conditions, soldiers could observe the festival, uphold tradition and feel the warmth of spiritual unity. Passover is the festival of freedom, faith and hope, it serves as a powerful reminder of inner strength, and of the importance of preserving light even in the darkest of times.
Together with the troops, Rabbi Sinyakov conducted prayers, spoke with servicemen and offered spiritual and psychological support. Essential humanitarian aid was also provided.
Even on the frontline, amid daily danger and relentless challenges, faith, tradition and a sense of unity endure. It is these that fortify the spirit, sustain resilience, and affirm a simple yet enduring truth: that light will always prevail over darkness.
Jewish Communities in Ukraine Unite for Messianic Feast at the end of Passover
On the last day of the festival, the members of the Jewish communities gathered in the cities across the country for the traditional Messianic Meal, a moment of spiritual elevation, unity and faith in the future Redemption.
On 22 Nisan 5786 (9 April 2026), festive events took place in a number of communities. In the synagogue of Ivano-Frankivsk, a special Messianic Meal was held with the participation of the Hesed centre and Beit Chabad. In a warm and uplifting atmosphere, the participants came together as one community, shared the festive table, revised traditions, listened to the inspiring words and experienced the joy of unity.
In Kamianske, the Jewish community, led by the city’s rabbi, Reb Levi Stambler, and Rebbetzin Dina Stambler, also gathered for the Messianic Meal, bringing the days of Passover to a close in spiritual strength and celebration.
In Dnipro, traditional Messianic Meals took place across numerous Jewish institutions, with the central event being a large communal gathering at the Menorah Centre, where more than six hundred participants and guests from various cities came together.
The custom of holding a Messianic Meal on the final day of Passover was introduced by the founder of the Hasidic movement, Baal Shem Tov. According to tradition, this day is imbued with a unique Messianic light. Later, the Fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Sholom DovBer, incorporated additional elements reminiscent of the Seder, including the tradition of drinking four cups of wine, symbolising the future ultimate Redemption.
These Messianic Meals formed a fitting and graceful conclusion to Passover celebrations across different cities, once again highlighting the spirit of unity, mutual support and spiritual uplift within Jewish communities.
* Photographs were taken after the conclusion of the festive period, following the end of Yom Tov.
On the last day of the festival, the members of the Jewish communities gathered in the cities across the country for the traditional Messianic Meal, a moment of spiritual elevation, unity and faith in the future Redemption.
On 22 Nisan 5786 (9 April 2026), festive events took place in a number of communities. In the synagogue of Ivano-Frankivsk, a special Messianic Meal was held with the participation of the Hesed centre and Beit Chabad. In a warm and uplifting atmosphere, the participants came together as one community, shared the festive table, revised traditions, listened to the inspiring words and experienced the joy of unity.
In Kamianske, the Jewish community, led by the city’s rabbi, Reb Levi Stambler, and Rebbetzin Dina Stambler, also gathered for the Messianic Meal, bringing the days of Passover to a close in spiritual strength and celebration.
In Dnipro, traditional Messianic Meals took place across numerous Jewish institutions, with the central event being a large communal gathering at the Menorah Centre, where more than six hundred participants and guests from various cities came together.
The custom of holding a Messianic Meal on the final day of Passover was introduced by the founder of the Hasidic movement, Baal Shem Tov. According to tradition, this day is imbued with a unique Messianic light. Later, the Fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Sholom DovBer, incorporated additional elements reminiscent of the Seder, including the tradition of drinking four cups of wine, symbolising the future ultimate Redemption.
These Messianic Meals formed a fitting and graceful conclusion to Passover celebrations across different cities, once again highlighting the spirit of unity, mutual support and spiritual uplift within Jewish communities.
* Photographs were taken after the conclusion of the festive period, following the end of Yom Tov.
Tribute paid to victims of Nazi concentration camps in Odesa’s Prokhorivskyi Square
On 10 April, a wreath-laying ceremony was held in Prokhorivskyi Square in Odesa at the memorial to the victims of Nazism. The event was initiated by the Council of the Odesa Regional Association of Jews, former prisoners of ghettos and concentration camps, to mark the International Day of Liberation of Prisoners of Nazi Concentration Camps.
The participants honoured the memory of those who perished with a minute of silence and laid flowers at the memorial. The date was established at the initiative of the United Nations to commemorate the 1945 uprising of prisoners in the German concentration camp of Buchenwald.
We remember the tragedies of the past and pay tribute to those who endured the horrors of Nazism.
On 10 April, a wreath-laying ceremony was held in Prokhorivskyi Square in Odesa at the memorial to the victims of Nazism. The event was initiated by the Council of the Odesa Regional Association of Jews, former prisoners of ghettos and concentration camps, to mark the International Day of Liberation of Prisoners of Nazi Concentration Camps.
The participants honoured the memory of those who perished with a minute of silence and laid flowers at the memorial. The date was established at the initiative of the United Nations to commemorate the 1945 uprising of prisoners in the German concentration camp of Buchenwald.
We remember the tragedies of the past and pay tribute to those who endured the horrors of Nazism.