As the month of Tishrei 5786 approached, the Jewish community in Moscow moved into high gear to ensure that every family, regardless of circumstances, would be able to observe Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and soon Sukkot with dignity and joy. Preparations for this spiritually weighty period commenced earlier than in past years — and the tangible results are now evident across the city, both in gratitude from recipients and in heightened communal spirit.

At the initiative of Russia’s Chief Rabbi, Berel Lazar, the annual Kimcha D’Tishrei food‑package campaign in Moscow was significantly enlarged. Thousands of kosher, fresh holiday baskets were prepared and distributed over a multi‑day period at the Shaarei Tzedek Jewish Chesed Center in the Marina Roscha district.

Rabbi Lazar himself visited the Chesed Center during the distributions, personally supervising operations, offering thanks to volunteers and staff, and assuring that every applicant received full attention in a respectful and orderly manner.

Thanks to the careful logistics and commitment of the organizers, each application was processed on the spot, and no family left without the required support.

The holiday baskets delivered to needy families contained a generous selection of kosher foods suitable for festive meals: meat, poultry, fish, wine, oil, fresh fruits and vegetables, staples, and other essentials. For those elderly or home‑bound, the Chesed Center arranged delivery by a fleet of vehicles so that no one was missed.

In addition to food, the Chesed Center has historically offered complementary services, such as free transportation to Jewish cemeteries so that elderly community members could visit graves before Rosh Hashanah — preserving tradition even for those with mobility challenges.