Nissan in Kharkov

A month full of special programs and Hakhel gatherings in Kharkov began with a short 48 hour trip by Rabbi Gershon Mendel Gorelik, head shliach in Italy. His trip was part of the Worldwide Hakhel program arranged by Agudas Chassidei Chabad. The visit was especially moving as Rabi Gorelik returned to his birthplace, Kharkov for the first time since his childhood. He told stories of the self sacrifice of his family and was impressed at the renewal of Yiddishkeit in a place that had been full of fear of KGB and police.

More pictures in the Extended Article!

He said that if his father A”H would have been able to see a room full of young students celebrating Shabbos openly – he would have done somersaults out of happiness . Rabbi Gorelik went to the kindergarten , Yeshiva , cheder , schools and spoke to the students of the Girls Academy , to the students of Stars , the Shluchim and Nshei Chabad . Shabbos was full of farbrengens and inspiration – and the local community was impressed and inspired by the shliach who himself was once a Kharkovite

A special program was arranged for students by students in the Or Avner Day School . Students in the Machon arranged and ran a full Pesach experience for the elementary school students – who baked matzahs , enjoyed Pesach games and took part in a model seder .

In honor of the Rebbe’s birthday – 11 Nissan – over 100 students and 100 women took part in a large Hakhel program in resteraunt Shalom . Prizes included mezuzos and Jewish books – as the women played games and danced together – learning about the Rebbe and the importance of Jewish birthdays .

Birchas Hachama took place in the front of the synagogue on Pushkinskaya 12 . A large crowd gathered including the local press and television – despite the grey clouds and overcast weather . The program began with the 12 Pesukim and a siyum of mesechta Makkos by Mendel Moskovitz in honor of the Fast of the First born . Just as everyone waited to say the bracha on the son , and were worried that they would have to wait another 28 years – the son burst out of the clouds for a minute and the crowd repeated the bracha in unison . Definately a miracle that left a big impression on the crowd .

Over 1000 people took part in the communal sedarim in the shule on Pushkinsakaya . The sedarim were organized for different groups – students , children , adults and elderly – throughout the shule.

Seudas Moshiach had over 300 participants – who ended off a month full of programs and activities on a high note .