- September 26, 2024
- 11:43 am
- Ukraine
Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky recorded a video message to Bratslav Hasidim who are coming to Ukraine for the annual pilgrimage in honor of Rosh Hashanah.
This is reported by United Jewish Community of Ukraine September 25, 2024 (video not provided).
Every year, Hasidim come to Uman for the Jewish New Year, where the tzaddik Rabbi Nachman is buried. They perform prayers and traditional rituals, fulfilling the instructions of their spiritual leader.
Rabbi Kaminezki noted that the prayers of the pilgrims will lead to the end of the war and the victory of Ukraine, and the very fact that they are coming to Ukraine at such a difficult time for it is support and inspiration, which is very valuable for the Jews of the country.
“Shalom Aleichem, dear Hasidim! We are here with Rabbi Nochum Karlinsky, having met as a result of Ashgacha Pratit.
It is very important for every Hasid to know that coming here for Rosh Hashanah is not just a personal matter for each Hasid and his personal connection with Rabbi Nachman.
The very fact that they are coming here (to Ukraine) at such a time is what will lead to the war ending in victory!
And you need to understand the magnitude of responsibility that lies with each person: he MUST come here!
There is a THOUGHT in this for everyone, for the whole world: for LIGHT to win, for GOOD to win!
I wish everyone a great year, Ktiva ve-Chatima Tova, we really appreciate you coming here!
With the help of the Almighty, with our prayers here we WILL achieve that you will have nahas (satisfaction) from children, and peace of mind, and great wealth, and joy!”
The Jewish community of Dnepr, led by Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky, is part of the United Jewish Community of Ukraine.
Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky was born on March 10, 1965 in Kfar Chabad, Israel. His parents immigrated from the USSR in 1946 due to religious persecution. Until reaching the age of Jewish majority (bar mitzvah), he studied in a cheder in Kfar Chabad, and then from 1978 to 1981 he continued his studies in a yeshiva in Lod.
In 1981, Rabbi Kaminetzky came to the United States to study with the Lubavitcher Rebbe and graduated from the Rabbinical College of America in Morristown, New Jersey. He continued his education and taught at the Rebbe’s emissary yeshiva in New Haven, Connecticut. In 1988, he received his smicha (rabbinical ordination) from 770 Eastern Parkway Yeshiva.
In 1989, the rabbi married Chana Lipsker, and they had six daughters and three sons. In 1990, he arrived in Dnepropetrovsk as an emissary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, where he was elected chief rabbi of Dnepropetrovsk and the Dnepropetrovsk region.
Community Activities
When Rabbi Kaminetsky arrived in Dnepropetrovsk, there was only a small synagogue in the city. He focused his efforts on rebuilding the Jewish community and way of life in the region. His work resulted in many significant results:
- The Golden Rose Choral Synagogue has been restored.
- The largest community center, Menorah, was built.
- The Shiurei Torah Lubavitch charitable foundation was founded.
- The global project “Kaddish prayer” has been launched.
- Two kindergartens are open.
- The Or Avner school was founded.
- The Beit Baruch nursing home was established.
- Numerous programs in the field of Jewish education and social assistance have been implemented.
For his services, Rabbi Kaminetsky was awarded the medals “For Services to the City of Dnepropetrovsk” (2010) and “25 Years of Independence of Ukraine” (2016). In October 2020, he was elected head of the board of the United Jewish Community of Ukraine.
Rabbi Kaminetsky emphasizes the importance of the synergy between Jewish identity and Ukrainian nationalism, arguing that they can not only coexist, but also complement each other, serving as an example for many.
