The participants of these traditional meetings have discovered a new format since the beginning of the war. Now the meetings take place in Odesa, Berlin and virtually via Zoom.
What was the agenda?
Of course, the delicacies and the raised "lechaim" with the traditional wish for each other to have a happy and sweet New Year took on a deeper meaning these times.
There was a ceremony of afrashat halot - the separation of the challah bread. All women, wherever they were, separated a certain part from the dough and prayed that the Creator would grant abundance, blessings and success.
After separation, the participants wove traditional round challahs, symbolizing the end (and immediately the beginning!) of the year, and while the challahs were being baked, they listened to a lesson on the essence of the Hashanah prayer, conducted by Rabbi Fishl Chichelnytskyi.
It was such a heart-warming meeting: ladies from Odessa were glad to see their friends currently living in Berlin, and those in their turn spoke of the time when they all can get back together in Odessa.
Let it be!
Have a happy and sweet New Year, everyone
