News - Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine

Kaparot in Krivoy Rog.

Вторник, 25. Сентябрь, 2012 - 8:40

This week in the Krivoy Rog Jewish community the Kaparot ceremony took place - the most important ritual that symbolizes redemption and cleansing from sin, which is held on the eve of Yom Kippur - Yom Kippur. According to tradition for the ritual poultry was purchased (chickens - for women, roosters - for men).

Many Jews of different ages came to fulfill the commandment and cleanse themselves. Every man and woman prayed G-d so that their sins lay upon the chickens: “This is my exchange, this is instead of me, this is my ransom! Let this chicken die and I live long in happiness and peace!”

After this the chicken were slain by a Shoikhet, who arrived in Krivoy Rog from Dnepropetrovsk.

Kaparot in Kherson community.

Вторник, 25. Сентябрь, 2012 - 8:18

On September, 24, at 7 AM many people appeared in the yard of the Jewish school of Kherson. The first was the rabbi of Kherson and his assistants. In a while a van came with chikens for the ritual.

It is worth mentioning that every year sees more and more Jews who would like to fulfill this ceremony. But this time so many people came that rabbi with his assistants began to question if the chickens would be enough for everyone. But the chickens were enough for about 200 people and they were able to do the ceremony.

Closer to 8 AM students of the Jewish school appeared in the yard of the school and the children from kindergarten. This day many were accompanied by their parents who immediately proceeded to Kaparot. Assistants helped student… Читать дальше »

New booklet and calendars published.

Четверг, 13. Сентябрь, 2012 - 8:55

The new Tishrey booklet has been published recently by the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine.

The booklet contains comprehensive information about the coming month holidays: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, Simchat Torah.

Each section of the booklet is dedicated to the certain holiday and begins traditionally with a passage from the writings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, in which he gives some introduction and instructions concerning holidays. The passages also highlight the holidays features.

The Tishrey holidays are the culmination of the year. These are the days in which our main aspirations are directed toward the fullness of spiritual life, but this direction affects the material… Читать дальше »