Dear believers!We congratulate you on the great holiday of Passover! It is a celebration of the liberation of our ancestors from Egyptian slavery, which reminds us of the importance of freedom, dignity and faith in G-d. Passover is a time of purification, renewal and deep reflection. May this holiday season fill your hearts with joy, peace and blessings.As we celebrate Passover, we not only remember the great miracles that happened to our ancestors, but we also pray for deliverance and prosperity for all of us. Let this Passover become for each of us not only a holiday of freedom, but also an opportunity for spiritual growth and gratitude for the gifts of life.We wish you a happy and blessed celebration filled with light and hope. Let the taste of matzah and festive traditions bring joy to your homes, and faith and deep Jewish tradition will help you every day. Pesach kosher ve sameach!

There is an ancient custom, according to which the firstborn in the family fast on the eve of Pesach, Nisan 14. This fast is established in memory of the fact that the Almighty, destroying the firstborn of the Egyptians, saved the lives of all the Jewish firstborn.Who should fast on this day?According to one opinion, all first-borns have to fast: both men and women; both those who are the firstborn of their mother, and those who are the firstborn of their father. And if there is no first-born in the family, then the eldest in the house must fast.However, in most communities it is accepted that only men who were born first to their mother fast.It is accepted that instead of an underage firstborn son, his father fasts (even if he himself is not the firstborn). If the father is also the firstborn, then his fast is counted as two. However, there is a stricter opinion, according to which the mother of the child should also fast in this case.When should you fast?Fasting continues on the eve of Pesach. It would be logical to establish it on the anniversary of the miracle - Nisan 15, but this day is a holiday, and on Jewish holidays, according to the law, fasts are not held.If the eve of Pesach falls on a Saturday, the first-born fast is postponed to Thursday. If the eve of Pesach falls on a Friday, then the fast is not postponed.The fast of the firstborn begins at dawn and ends with the appearance of the stars.

In the coming days, we begin publishing a series of special materials dedicated to the great women in the history of Chabad — the righteous rebbens, whose holiness and selflessness are an example for all of us.What awaits you:● Profound essays on the life and spiritual legacy of our Rebbe wives and mothers.● Impressive stories of their commitment to the Jewish people.● Posting rare photos, many of which you'll see for the first time. These photos allow you to feel the images of these unusual women in a new way.We invite you to join us in touching living history and finding inspiration in their holiness.May the merits of these righteous women protect us all!(Zchutam Taghen Aleinu)🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯In this rare photo —rebbetzin Rivka, wife of Rebbe Maarash.Special thanks to Aaron Brusilovsky for the informative and important material published on the Telegram channel.Lubavitcher calendar

🕯 Rebbetzin Sterne: the woman who stood at the source of Chabad(Wife of Alter Rebbe — the founder of Chabad Hasidism)📜 Noble birth and fateful unionSterna was born in Vitebsk to Rabbi Yehuda Leiba Segal, one of the community's most respected and wealthiest elders. She was a descendant of the eighth generation of the famous Maaril Segal — a great legislator of Ashkenazi traditions. Her mother, Ms Balea, was raising her daughter in a spirit of deep faith and dignity.12 Menachem-Ava 5520 (1760) Sterne married a young genius — Rabbi Schneur Zalman. At that time, he was not yet known as the “Alter Rebbe.” The bride's family saw him as a brilliant scholar of the Talmud, but did not realize his commitment to Hasidism.🔥 The Test of Fidelity: Against the WorldWhen it became known that Schneur Zalman became a student of Magid from Mezhirich, a scandal erupted. At that time, the Hasidim were persecuted. Rich parents of Sterna, fearing for their reputation and future, gave their daughter an ultimatum: divorce or disinheritance.Sterna firmly refused, seeing a light in her husband that no one else could see, and she chose to leave the luxury of her father's home to share years of extreme need with him so that he could follow his spiritual path.Amazing translation:It is said that sometimes when Sterne was offended at her husband in her heart because of their poverty, she was sick for three days. When she asked the Rebbe if he was angry with her, he replied:“I'm not angry at all. If I were a little angry, you'd be sick for nine days, not three.”This underscored their deep spiritual connection.🍯 The miracle of the birth of sonsFor 14 years after the wedding, only daughters were born to the couple (among them is the righteous Dvora Leia). The spouses were very eager for their sons. When they approached Magid from Mezhyrich, he advised:“Be especially attentive to the commandment of hospitality (ahnasat orhim).”Since then, their home has been open to every traveler. At the direction of Magid, throughout the next pregnancy, Rebbetzin Stern drank a glass of milk with honey every evening. Soon they had three sons who became great sages:Rabbi Dov-Ber (Mitler Rebbe) is his father's future successor.Rabbi Chaim Abraham.Rabbi Moshe.🛡 Wisdom and resilience to dangerRebbetzin Sterne was a real "shield" for Alter Rebbe. When they lived in Liozno and thousands of Hasidim began to come to their house, the Rebbe fell to the floor in great humility and exclaimed:“What did they find in me? Why are they coming?”Sterna approached him and wisely said:“They don't come to you personally. They come to the disciple of the great Magid so that you can reveal his teachings to them.”After these words, the Rebbe calmed down and began to receive people.The most heroic moment was the story of his first arrest. When the soldiers came for the Rebbe, he hid. The officers demanded that Sterna extradite him. When she refused, one of the soldiers hit her in the face with such force that he knocked out two front teeth. Sterne didn't say a word — giving the man time to prepare for the ordeal.✨ Recent years in LyubavichyAfter the departure of Alter Rebbe in 5573 (1812), Rebbetzin Sterna moved to Lubavitches. There she lived in the house of her grandson, Tsemakh Tzedek (Rabbi Menachem-Mendel). She actually raised him, replacing his mother (Dvora Leia passed away young). Tsemakh Tzedek deeply revered his grandmother, and she was honored to see him at the head of the generation.Rebbetzin Sterna lived a long life, although the exact dates of her birth and departure remained unknown. She has become a symbol of the fact that behind every great leader is a woman whose quiet prayer and indestructible steadfastness hold the whole world.📸 In the photo: Old Oel Lubavitsky Rebcins in LubavichySource:📖 Lubavitcher calendar 

Dishes on PassoverThe usual utensils used throughout the year are absorbed by the chametz, so they cannot be used in Passover without special cleaning (halachic kosher).The best option is to buy separate dishes for Passover.If this is not possible, you need to clean according to special rules. To avoid mistakes, the Rabbi should be consulted.You should complete the crockery a few days before Passover, not on the eve of the holiday.In our synagogue, you can chop off the dishes for Passover.If you have any questions, please contact the Community Center by phone(044) 235.90.82/83

Rebbetzin Shane is the wife of the second leader of the Lubavitcher movement, Mitler Rebbe (Rabbi Dov-Bera), and the daughter-in-law of the founder of Chabad, Alter Rebbe. She is a key figure in the history of the Schneerson dynasty, the mother and grandmother of prominent women and future leaders of the movement. 🏛️💎originRebbetzin Shaina was born in the family of the Hasidic Rabbi Yaakov, who lived in the town of Yanovychi. Rabbi Yaakov was a “melamed” (children's teacher) and a devoted follower of the Alter Rebbe. The family lived in extreme need; Rabbi Jacob had five daughters, and he was very worried about their future, because no one wanted to marry them because of poverty. 🏚️📦💍 MatchmakingAccording to the Hasidic tradition, the story of her marriage began with the fact that Rabbi Yaakov during an audience ("Yehidut") at the Alter Rebbe complained about the inability to concentrate on prayer because of anxiety for his daughters. 🕍🙏Alter Rebe replied:"I am begotten with you, and thanks to this, all the Hasidim will also want to become your relatives."Alter Rebbe offered this union to his son, the future Mitler Rebbe. The son, wanting to hear deep spiritual instructions (“maamarim”), which his father uttered only at the weddings of family members, asked to speed up the process. Thus, in 1788 (5548), at the age of 14, Shane became the wife of Rabbi Dov-Ber.After this marriage, as predicted by the Alter Rebbe, the other daughters of the melamed also married respected Hasidim, among whom were Rabbi Yisrael Shatz and Rabbi Shmarjah Berlin. 🤝✨🏡 Role in the family and upbringing of grandchildrenRebbetzin Shane was known for her active role in the family's life. Her granddaughters, Ryvka and Gitel, the daughters of her daughter Hai-Sara, were brought up in her house.🕊️ Matchmaking by Rebbe MaarashaAfter the death of Rebetzin Sterna (wife of the Fourth Rebbe), Rebetzin Shane took the initiative to strengthen intra-family ties. She sent an envoy to her son-in-law, Rebbe Tsemach Tzedek, asking him to marry one of the granddaughters who had grown up in her house to his son. As a result of this insistence, the future Rebbe Maarash married Rebetzin Rivka. ✉️❤️✨ Blessing on the wedding dayOne of the most significant episodes in the history of Chabad is associated with the blessing that Rebbetzin Shaina gave her grandson on his wedding day. Tsemakh Zedek ordered his son-fiancé to go to the kitchen and receive a blessing from Shayna's grandmother, who was preparing a festive meal.Rebbetzin Shane refused at first, saying she would bless him later under a hoodie. However, Tsemakh Tzedek insisted:“Go back to her and ask her to bless you right now.”Seeing such perseverance, Rebbetzin Shane wet her hands, laid them on her grandson's head and said:“May it be the will of the Almighty that all the powers I have inherited from my husband [Mitler Rebbe] rest on your head.”👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family and descendantsRebbetzin Shane was the motherof two sons and eight (according to other sources — nine) daughters, most of whom became the wives of prominent leaders of the Jewish people of that time: 🌳🍎Daughters:✡️ Rebbetzin Khaya-Mushka Schneerson is the wife of the Third Lubavitcher Rebbe, Tsemakh Tzedek.🕍 Rebbetzin Menuha Rachel Slonim is a legendary figure who moved to Hebron and became the spiritual leader of the community.📜 Rebbetzin Dvora Lea Tverska is the wife of Rabbi Yaakov Israel from Cherkasy.🕯️ Rebbetzin Sarah Derbaremdiker is the daughter-in-law of Rabbi Levi Yitzhak from Berdychiv.🖊️ Rebbetzin Bayla Vals is the wife of Rabbi Yekutiel Zalman Vals.🍷 Rebbetzin Bracha is the wife of Rabbi Jonah from Zhytomyr.🧺 Haya Sarah is the mother of Rebetzin Rivka (the wife of Rebbe Maarash).🌸 Esther Mirjam and Stern Freud.sons.🎓 Rabbi Menachem Nahum.📖 Rabbi Baruch Shmuel.🌅 Leaving this worldThe exact dates of birth and departure of Rebbetzin Sheina are not recorded in official documents. However, her legacy is preserved in the Hasidic tradition as an example of a righteous woman whose faith and determination laid the foundation for the prosperity of the Schneerson dynasty. 🕊️🕯️📸 In the photo: the graves of the Lubavitcher Rebcins in Oela in Lubavitches after restorationSource:📖 Lubavitcher calendar 

March 26 at 18:00 is the evening when the space will be filled with stories, colors and memories that speak through generations.The Fiddler on the Roof Gallery opens two new exhibitions at once —My Haggadah by Iryna Klymova and Ihor Hlukhenkyiand photo exhibition of Serhii Udovyk "Next year in Jerusalem!".These are not just expositions.It is a journey: from text to image, from symbol to feeling.Here you can not only watch, but also listen to the inner voice of the story, which sounds quiet but confident.And on March 22, we invite you to events within the exhibition space:at 14:00 — finish "Flower retrospective"at 15:00 — lecture by Iryna Klymova "Pages of Jewish history and culture".13 Shota Rustaveli Str., 📍 KyivFiddler on the Roof GallerySometimes it is enough to take a step — and you are already inside the story.

Tonight is Rosh Chodesh of the month of Nisan. Rosh Hodesh Nisan always lasts one day, and the moon itself is always full, that is, it has 30 days.Nisan is called “the beginning of the months” and “the first month” in the Torah. The first Nisan is also considered the New Year of Kings, because the years of rule are counted from it. The first month of Nisan is counted in the Torah, and if you count from Tishrei — this is the seventh month.Also in the Torah, Nisan is called "Hodesh ha-Aviv", that is, the month of spring. The word "nisan" itself is of Babylonian origin, but it is also associated with spring — it is related to the word "nitsan" (bud, bud), which is mentioned in the Song of Songs: "Buds (nitsanim) appeared on the earth" (Shir ha-Shirim 2:12).The whole month of Nisan is considered a special, auspicious time, and certain traditions are associated with it, giving it a semi-festive character. In Nisan, we celebrate the birthday of the Head of our generation, the Seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem-Mendel Schneerson — 11 Nisan, as well as the birthday of his father, Rabbi Levi-Itzhak Schneerson, who was the chief rabbi of Yekaterinoslav-Dnepropetrovsk in 1909–1939 — 18 Nisan.But the main event of Nisan is, of course, the holiday of Passover, the holiday of exodus from Egypt, from external and internal slavery, the holiday of Liberation. The Passover begins in the middle of the month, in full, on the evening of the “fourteenth day of the spring month of Nisan.” Passover lasts 8 days, the first two and the last two days have the status of "yom tov", and throughout the holiday there are special laws, primarily related to the ban on leaven.By the end of the month of Nisan, a special blessing should be said on the flowering trees, expressing gratitude to the Almighty for the renewal of nature.May this month bring you the light of renewal, inner freedom and peace of heart. Let joy, peace and blessings reign in your homes, and every day is filled with good news and bright events.

Sometimes we become an emotional sponge.We absorb the mood of the partner. The customer's tension. Anxiety of the mother. Irritation of a colleague.And at the end of the day, we don't understand — where am I in all this?Being sensitive is not a weakness.But when there are no limits, sensitivity turns into exhaustion.What helps to stop "absorbing" everything in a row?🔹 Identify the source of emotions.Ask yourself: is this really mine? Am I now reacting to someone else's condition?🔹 Give yourself time for emotional relief.Silence. Movement. Breathing. Pause between events. The nervous system needs to recover.🔹 Learn to regulate emotions, not suppress them.Notice, name, live — instead of accumulate.🔹 Establish clear boundaries.I can sympathize, but I don't have to save.I can listen, but I don't have to take responsibility for the other person's feelings.In the Gestalt approach, we often talk about contact and the limit of contact.Healthy contact is when I'm with you, but not in my place.Questions for self-reflection:— In what situations do I most often "get overwhelmed"?— With whom is it most difficult for me to maintain boundaries?— What helps me to return to myself?Maybe being sensitive is your strength.The main thing is to learn not to dissolve in others.source: InstitutPsihoterapiiResurs

Every day at 9:00Cease movement.Shut your mouth.Remember.Honor thememoryof the dead:soldiers, children, peaceful people.Those who are no longer around.But who is with us forever is in the heart.It's not just a minute of silence.It is our dutyIt's humanity.Alive — thanks to those who were lost...........

The life story of Rabbi Yekutiel Zalman Valles is a bridge between two worlds of Hasidism.In the history of Hasidism, there are names that become living links between the greatest schools of thought. Rabbi Yekutiel Zalman Valles (1795–1867) is just such a figure. The son of Rabbi Yosef Simha Bunim and the grandson of the "intercessor of the people of Israel" — the holy righteous Rabbi Levi Yitzhak from Berdychiv, he entered the very heart of the Schneerson family.💍A wedding that made historyWinter of 1808 (week of the head of Beshalakh). The city of Lyada becomes the center of gravity of the entire Hasidic world. It is here that a significant event takes place: young Yekutiel Zalman marries his daughter Mitler Rebbe (the second head of Chabad, Rabbi Dov-Ber).Rabbi Levi Yitzhak from Berdychiv himself traveled a long way to Lyad to honor the wedding of his grandson. The culmination of the celebration was the speech of the founder of Chabad — Alter Rebbe, who spoke a deep philosophical maamar "Ani yeshena ve-libi er" ("I sleep, but my heart does not sleep"). Subsequently, this text became a classic of the Chabad doctrine and was included in the book "Elixir of Thor".🧩The mystery of the name: Rivka or Baila?Historians are still debating the identity of Rabbi Yekutiel's wife. In the archives of the library "Agudat Hasidei Chabad" and in the letters of that time, the nameof Rebetzin Rivka is mentioned. At the same time, in the genealogical lists ("Shalshelet a-ijhus"), she is recorded as Rivka Bale.There is a hypothesis that after Rivka's death, Yekutiel Zalman could have married her sister Baila. Additional questions are raised by records from Berdychiv in 1858, where some Yocheved is mentioned by his wife. Obviously, the rabbi's life path was full of not only spiritual searches, but also family changes.🏛Heritage and Eternal RestRabbi Yekutiel Zalman passed away into the world of truth on Wednesday, 29 Adar II 5624 (1864) (according to other sources — 1867). His life journey ended where the heart of the movement was beating — he was buried in Lyubavichy. His tombstone is laconically marked with his father's name: "Yosef Bunim".His children continued to strengthen the bond between Lyubavichy and Berdychiv:Rabbi Levi Yitzhak Zalmanson - became the son-in-law of the great Tsemakh Tzedek and headed the yeshiva in Velyzh.Martha Freud — became the wife of Rabbi Israel Noah from Nizhyn (son of Tsemakh Tzedek).Son Pinchas Aaron — remained the keeper of traditions in Berdychiv.This story is not just a chronology of events, but a testimony to how love and family tiesconnected two powerful branches of the Jewish spirit, creating the foundation on which Hasidism stands to this day.Source:📖 Lubavitcher calendar