The Jewish community of Rostov held a family fun day on Lag B’omer with attractions and entertainment for kids of all ages. The children learned about the holiday in a fun and interactive way while at the same time their parents were divided into groups for adult study sessions. The children then performed the Jewish songs and recited 12 Pesukim (Torah passages).

Adults and children alike were entertained by a magician who even taught them the secrets behind the tricks. Following relay races everyone sat down for a BBQ lunch including hotdogs in buns, salads, and snacks.

The event took place in a park near the Don River.

On the Seventh night of Chanukah, students and young professionals gathered in a rented out cafe for a Chanukah party. The party featured live Jewish music, fun games, socializing and of course a menorah lighting. Despite the snowy blizzard raging outside, the cafe was filled with 120 students.

Or Avner Jewish Day School was buzzing with excitement the entire week of Chanukah. Grades 1-6 participated in a competitive candle making contest and were able to win fun Chanukah prizes for their creations. After learning about all the mitzvot that we do with candles, each class had a different type of candle that they had to create. The children used various materials to make beautiful wedding candles, shabbat candles, menorahs and havdallah candles.

A special program was held on Wednesday in which the students rotated from classroom to classroom, particpating in many exciting, interactive activities that were planned by grades 7-11. The older classes worked diligently on decorating their classrooms according to different Chanukah themes and creating fun games and tasks for the younger grades to do inside. One of the classrooms was turned into a model of the Holy Temple after it was destroyed, and the younger students had to clean it up and search for a pure jug of oil. Another classroom was made into a battle zone and the children had to fight the Greeks with ballooons. When the students had completed the tasks from every room, they gathered in the auditorium for Menorah lighting and award presentations to all the diligent students.

On Sunday, the third night of Chanukah, the Jewish Community of Rostov, headed by Rabbi Chaim and Kaila Danzinger, held a grand Chanukah celebration for the entire community. The event was held in the shul and was attended by over 350 people. The program included a Menorah lighting, singing and dancing performances by the Or Avner Jewish Day School and Preschool, and a Yiddish concert by volunteers of our Chesed organization. Following the presentations, the children enjoyed fun Chanukah arts & crafts, cotton candy, and popcorn.

During the event, thirteen nominees were presented with the “Person of the Year” award by the Jewish community. These awards were given to volunteers who help the elderly, work in the soup kitchen, and those who take an active role in guaranteeing the future of Judaism in Rostov.

Rabbi Chaim Danzinger spoke about the history and miracles of Chanukah, stressing the importance of increasing our involvement in Jewish life and traditions just as we increase the lights of the menorah each night of Chanukah.

On the last night of Chol Hamoed, over 70 college-aged students and young professionals gathered for an exciting Sukkos program. They enjoyed pizza, a competitive Sukkos contest, music, and socializing. For many of them this was their first time fulfilling the mitzvah of Lulav and Esrog and sitting in a Sukkah. Rabbi Chaim Danzinger shared a story of Sukkos and elaborated on the significance of this Yom Tov, encouraging everyone to become more involved in Judaism.

Some of these students joined us this past summer on our bi-annual Birthright (Taglit) trip to Israel, and are now proudly continuing their journey exploring their Jewish roots.

Over 60 Jewish seniors from our community gathered for a festive Sukkot meal and celebration in the community Sukkah. Rabbi Chaim Danzinger spoke about the meaning of the holiday and explained the significance of the lulav and etrog. Following that everyone made a blessing on the lulav and etrog and a wonderful meal was enjoyed by all. The Chesed community choir performed some Russian Jewish songs and everyone clapped and sang along.

On Chol Hamoed children from all around Rostov gathered for a fun sukkot party and fair. The program began in the communities Sukkah with snacks and drinks. The children all shook lulav and etrog and loaded onto busses to go to a nearby park for Sukkot arts and crafts, games and horseriding.

Our main party took place in the Shul, which was decorated very festively for Purim and was attended by over 300 people. Chaim started off the evening by speaking to the crowd and then reading the megillah while trying to keep everyone from shaking their graggers and making too much noise.  After Megilah reading the students of our Or Avner Jewish Day School put on a great Purim play and sang beautiful Purim songs. Everyone then enjoyed live music, cotton candy, face painting, art projects, a balloon man, and of course (what would a Russian party be without) lots of L’Chaim and refreshments.

The Or Avner school also held a Purim party with a Purim Shpiel competition between all the classes. It was a wonderful way for the children to show their talents, and everyone enjoyed it immensely.

In addition, we organized special Purim parties for different age groups. There was a Seuda and party for the elderly members of our community at the Shul, a party for the families and students at our Jewish preschool, and The Jewish Youth Club held a separate party for students and young professionals that was attended by over 100 people.