Kinus for Shluchim Across Ukraine Takes Place in Dnipro

A large-scale Shabbaton for the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s shluchim took place in Dnipro, bringing together over 50 shluchim from 16 cities across Ukraine. The forum was initiated by JRNU (Jewish Relief Network Ukraine) in partnership with the Dnipro Jewish Community and served as a vital platform for strengthening unity, sharing experiences, fostering camaraderie, and gaining renewed inspiration to continue the great spiritual mission of reviving Jewish life in Ukraine.

From the outset, the Shabbaton was conceived not as a formal gathering but as a space for deep spiritual work in an atmosphere of authentic Yiddishkeit and Chassidic joy. Participants were offered a rich program that combined strategic discussions, security briefings, experience-sharing, and a shared Shabbos experience in an atmosphere of achdus. A special role in realizing the forum was played by the support and personal involvement of JRNU director Rabbi Shlomo Neiman, thanks to whom this project achieved national scope and systemic resonance.

The working part of the program included a seminar on community security infrastructure, which holds particular significance in current realities for rabbis working in Ukrainian cities. This seminar was led by renowned security expert Ilya Goldberg, representative of the CWA organization in Ukraine.

A special place was given to the JRNU educational projects fair with discussion circles, where rabbis exchanged experiences, discussed program development, and sought new formats for supporting Jewish communities. These meetings enabled the integration of the Shabbos spiritual component with concrete tools for strengthening work in the regions. Professional discussions on educational and social projects also took place, where shluchim shared innovative ideas and approaches to developing community life.

It is worth noting that on the eve of the Shabbaton, a ceremony was held for the completion of a new Sefer Torah for Mykolaiv, in which many forum participants took part. This event, made possible through the generous gift of the Demchenko family—highly respected members of the Dnipro Jewish Community—organically preceded the Shabbos days and imbued the gathering with additional spiritual resonance.

A rich parallel program took place for the shluchos—lectures, interactive formats, workshops, meetings with Rebbetzin Chana Kaminezki, women’s classes, and a seder niggunim created a special space of support, gratitude, and increased joy during the month of Adar. An equally important part of the forum was a dedicated children’s program for boys and girls tailored to their ages.

The culmination of all Shabbaton events was Shabbos itself—communal prayers, festive meals in the magnificent Grande Hall, Chassidic lessons, and farbrengens created an atmosphere of true unity. A special place was held by the Melave Malka meal in the Ballroom of the Menorah Center, which served as a festive and emotional conclusion to Shabbos. This gathering brought together words of Torah, Chassidic stories, blessings, and a profound sense of brotherhood among the shluchim.

The Shabbaton was prepared by a dedicated team of organizers. Among the main coordinators were Rabbi Simcha Levengartz, who oversees many JRNU projects, Rabbi Reuven Kaminezki, Rabbi Shlomo Solomon and his wife Dina, Rebbetzin Sarah Stambler, and Rabbi Liron Edri. The organization of the Melave Malka was undertaken by Rabbi Moshe and Shoshi Weber.

The organizers express special gratitude to the Menorah Center for its high level of hospitality, as well as to Rada Romantsova, who provided technical and logistical preparation for the forum over the preceding weeks.

“This Shabbaton once again demonstrated the importance and success of collaboration between the Rebbe’s shluchim in various Ukrainian communities and JRNU, who share responsibility for the future of Jewish life—which is the foundation of resilience and development for communities throughout Ukraine,” said Chief Rabbi of Dnipro Shmuel Kaminezki. “It is especially significant to us that such a Shabbaton takes place in Dnipro and is implemented by the Jewish Relief Network Ukraine, providing shluchim with the opportunity to strengthen themselves, feel support, and return to their communities with renewed energy and inspiration.”