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 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.

We have just completed our very successful overnight camp which was located an hour and a half away from Rostov, on the banks of the Don River.  We had 126 campers in total from as far away as Siberia (50 hours north-east) and as near as Taganrog and of course our very own Rostov. For many of these children, camp is their only Jewish experience of the year, and is therefore of utmost importance.

Our counselors were all local graduates of our Stars program (a study program for Jewish students aged 18-26 with no prior knowledge  in Judaism, who attend classes twice a week in Shul).

Tisha B’av in camp was very memorable. A general class was given a few days prior to the fast day describing the history and customs of Tisha B’av. Following the lesson the oldest bunk decided on their own that they would like to fast and keep the customs of the day.