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Today in the Community Center "Thiya" seders are held for Pesach - one of the most important Jewish holidays dedicated to the people's liberation from slavery. The Small Community Center is working at full capacity: guests are invited to attend seders from different presenters in different rooms on this day. The highlight is also the presence of the American delegation of representatives of progressive Judaism The World Union for Progressive Judaism, who also take an active part in conducting the seder.
Like a huge beehive with bees, the OC "Thiya" is buzzing and excited by the large number of visitors. Tables are placed in practically all suitable rooms, covered with festive tablecloths and plates with traditional products are placed. Each guest can find a hall of interest. The interactive Museum of Jewish Life was mainly attended by older people, regulars of health groups and literary and musical guests. Health Center Manager Natalia Gerasimenko conducts a seder here. The atmosphere of the room is conducive to calmness and gradual reading of the Haggadah, understanding of history and events. Periodically, the museum piano "wakes up" and pours out the heart-felt melodies of the songs "Hat Gadya", "Ma Nishtana", "Dayenu", "Ose Shalom" and others.
Those who want to feel closer to Hebrew texts gather in the library. The seder is conducted by librarian Irina Nemaya, emphasizing not only the text of the Haggadah, but also drawing additional information from other printed sources. Mainly, those who are interested in diving headfirst into the meaning of the holiday, relying on facts and interpretations and gaining a lot of new knowledge have gathered here.
In the largest room - the conference hall - the clients of the Day Development Center and members of the community at an attentive age gathered. For them, the seder was conducted by valiant curators: Vyacheslav Yulle and Elena Torbyna. An atmosphere of benevolence and good mood reigns here. Many stories and parables related to Pesach and its characters are the "feature" of the seder in the conference hall. Here you can not only listen to the presenters, but also share your own knowledge with everyone. Without violating, of course, the traditional order of conduct.
Frequent visitors of this creative center gathered at the round table of the fine arts studio. The former employee of the Foundation, and the current honorary volunteer - Maria Kolesnikova, managed the procedure. The studio was decorated with works by adults and children dedicated to Pesach, and the round table provided an atmosphere of equality, friendship and mutual support.
And, finally, in the Child Development Center there was a long table for young families with children. Everyone who came with their children was invited here. Host Halyna Atamanchuk had copies of the children's colorful Haggadah at hand, which were handed to the children to clearly follow the order. The atmosphere of the Center had a favorable effect on the communication of different generations, which contributed to the transmission of traditions and rituals to the new generation of the community.
During the seders, the premises were visited by our American guests - the future rabbis of progressive Judaism, Sara, Joanna and Kim. They willingly communicated with members of the community, participated in ceremonies and answered questions, which, as it turned out, were quite a lot. One of the frequently asked questions was about the glass of Miriam, which should be on the table on the same level as the glass of Aliyah. After the seders, the guests visited all the important Jewish places of our city, which reliably strengthened their friendship with our community.
No matter how many rooms and tables there were according to interests, we all felt like one big and strong community. The order of the Pesach holiday, handed down through the generations, shows that we honor our past and teach new generations the history, customs and wisdom of our people. And next time we will all meet at Pesach in Jerusalem!
P.S. While seders were being held in the "Thiya" Community Center, an interesting message came to our Facebook page from our friends and partners - the State Historical and Cultural Reserve "Mezhibyzh" (click on the logo below)
