Across the FSU: Fall Holidays Draw in Thousands
The fall Jewish holidays that drew to a close recently, brought thousands of FSU Jews together for proud celebrations across the FJC communities. Countless activities for people of all ages in different formats and locations that took place left no one behind. “Never before have we had so many people who wanted to be involved […]
‘Historical Justice’ Restored in Irkutsk
FJC’s Jewish community of Irkutsk, Russia came together for a moment of “historical justice” as the locals called it, at the opening of a monument on the Jewish part of a destroyed city cemetery last week. The monument is an exact replica of the one that was erected at the cemetery in1898 and later destroyed, […]
Odessa’s Orphans – LIKE MY OWN CHILDREN
The Ukrainian port city of Odessa has seen a Jewish Renaissance in recent decades. Its now robust infrastructure of Jewish schools and community centers, packed synagogues and kosher restaurants, is matched by a booming Israeli tourist industry. But the worldwide financial crisis of 2008 devastated local businesses and dried up most of the Jewish community’s […]
GRAPEVINE: REVIVAL IN RUSSIA
BY GREER FAY CASHMAN | The Jerusalem Post | Photo: VIKTOR VEKSELBERG (left) alongside Anton Vaino, chief of staff of the presidential executive office of Russia. Who could have imagined 40 years ago that there would be a Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center in Moscow? For those who may be unaware, the museum, which opened in 2012, […]
CELEBRATING THE HIGH HOLIDAYS WITH THE JEWS OF SIBERIA
Despite living in one of the farthest corners of the world, the People of the Book in Siberia are flourishing. BY ANNIKA HERNROTH-ROTHSTEIN | The Jerusalem Post | RABBI AHARON WAGNER reverently wraps the synagogue’s Torah. . (photo credit: ANNIKA HERNROTH-ROTHSTEIN) It makes sense that in the regional dialect of Ostyak, Siberia translates to “the end.” This […]
Zelensky commemorates Babi Yar massacre victims
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and representatives of the Jewish community have honored the memory of the victims of the Babi Yar massacre in Kyiv, the press service of the head of state has reported. “The head of state, together with representatives of the Council of the Federation of Jewish Communities [of Ukraine], lit lamps near […]
High Holidays Attract Wider Public in the FSU
Thousands of FSU Jews are coming to local FJC synagogues, community centers and charities during this year’s High Holidays that started last week and will continue throughout the month. Some discover Jewish holidays for the first time, others are already regulars at the services and community dinners. There are also countless special activities for kids, […]
World Leaders Witness Moscow’s Jewish Revival
Prominent Jewish philanthropists and business leaders from all over the world came to see the revival of Russian Jewry in Moscow during the International Leadership Reunion conference that took place in Russia’s capital last month. Organized annually by the Keren Hayesod- United Israel Appeal, the conference aims to promote peaceful cohabitation of nations through meetings […]
President Ilham Aliyev congratulates Jewish community of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to the Jewish community of Azerbaijan on the New Year holiday, Rosh Hashanah. “Dear fellow countrymen! I sincerely congratulate you – citizens of our republic of Jewish origin – on the New Year holiday, Rosh Hashanah, and convey to you my most sincere wishes,” Ilham Aliyev […]
RUSSIA’S PUTIN WISHES ‘HEALTH, JOY AND PROSPERITY’ IN RH GREETING
In a statement published by the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin wished his country’s Jews “health, joy and prosperity in the new year.” ”This ancient holiday embodies people’s urge for moral purification and perfection, and prompts them to strive for virtuous thoughts and deeds,” the statement said. “It is important that Russia’s Jewish religious organisations are deeply respectful of the invaluable spiritual, historical […]