Dnepr Yeshiva Dedicates New Building

On Monday 20th of  Ellul,  in the presence of delegations of distinguished local and foreign guests, sponsors and dignitaries, the Ukrainian Jewish community celebrated the grand opening of the newly refurbished building of Yeshivas Lubavitch Ukraine. Located in the thriving city of Dnepr, the Yeshiva services the children of Ukrainian and International  shluchim.

The spacious three story building, which formally housed the dormitory of the Beis Chana teachers seminary, is located in an quiet neighborhood, approximately twenty five minutes from the city’s center, and boasts large grounds which include several playing fields and outdoor areas.

The opening address of the evening was given by Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki, the city’s Head Shaliach and Chief Rabbi. Rabbi Kaminezki is also a member of the vaad of the yeshiva, along with Rabbi Meir Stambler and Rabbi Raphael Rutman. His words were followed with speeches by Israel’s vice-consul to Ukraine, Mr Vyacheslav Smotkin, the Rosh Yeshiva of the Yeshiva, Rabbi Chaim Chazan, and board member Rabbi Meir Stambler, chairman of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Ukraine.

Two principle sponsors of the yeshiva, Mr Igor Chervonenko of Kyiv and Mr Eduardo Azar of Miami, joined the three members of the Vaad of the Yeshiva and cut a red ribbon before entering the building.

Mr Chervonenko then unveiled a marble memorial plaque in the entrance hall of the building, after which Mr Azar unveiled a plaque at the entrance to the main Zal.

A highlight of the ceremony was the dedication of the Yeshiva’s new state of the art mikvah. The attendees had the opportunity to tour the new beautiful mikvah after a plaque was unveiled by it’s sponsor, Mr Shimon (Alexander) Loifenfeld of Kyiv.

The assembled then continued to the dormitory wing on the third floor where contractor David Shulman unveiled a plaque.

Following mincha, a festive meal was held in the Yeshiva dining room, catered by Mendis restaurant chain. Entertainment was provided by The Freilach orchestra, under the capable leadership of Rabbi Menachem Kurtzveil. An inspirational video was played depicting scenes of the daily schedule at yeshiva.

Toasts where made by Mr Chervonenko, Mr Azar, Rabbi Eli Chefer, a member of the Hanhala of the Yeshiva, Vaad member Rabbi Raphael Rutman of Kyiv, and followed by guest rabbis from London, Rabbi Lionel Rosenfeld and Rabbi Yosef Vogel.

The event ended with joyous dancing and a Chassidishe farbrengen, led by Rav Tzvi Telsner, who was visiting from Australia at the helm of a group of twenty five anash . Prior to the ceremony, Rav Telsner had delivered a pilpul on hilchos Rosh Hashana to the talmidim.

The event was ably organized by the menahel gashmi of the yeshiva Rabbi Yossi Glick and his assistant R’ Shlomo Tereshkevitch.