In a deeply moving and historic event, the Jewish community of Birobidzhan—capital of Russia’s Jewish Autonomous Region—received its first-ever Torah scroll this week, marking a new chapter in the region’s Jewish revival.

The Torah was generously donated by Mr. Jan Yanukovich, a devoted member of the Krasnoyarsk Jewish community. The event was the result of a commitment made by Rabbi Binyamin Wagner, Chief Rabbi of Krasnoyarsk, during the annual “Unity Shabbat” gathering of Russian rabbis and Chabad emissaries held in Kaliningrad last year.

With heartfelt joy, the community gathered to complete the final letters of the new scroll, followed by a festive procession through the city’s streets—where signs in Yiddish still reflect its unique heritage. The scroll was then brought with honor into the city’s synagogue, which serves as a hub for Jewish life in the region.

Located in Russia’s Far East near the border with China, Birobidzhan was established in 1934 by order of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin as the center of the newly created Jewish Autonomous Region. Intended as a homeland for Jews within the Soviet Union, it was framed around Yiddish language and culture, but religious expression was strictly suppressed. Tens of thousands of Jews were encouraged or forced to move there, yet over time, the community’s Jewish identity was nearly erased. In recent years, however, thanks to the efforts of Chabad emissaries and the support of the Federation of Jewish Communities (FJC), a quiet yet powerful revival of Jewish life has been taking root.

Among the distinguished guests were Rabbi Aharon Wagner of Irkutsk, Rabbi Yaakov Snetkov of Khabarovsk, Rabbi Israel Wilhelm of Vladivostok, Rabbi Binyamin Wagner of Krasnoyarsk, and Rabbi Shlomo Neeman FJC’s Educational Director.

Special video greetings were sent by Chief Rabbi of Russia, Rabbi Berel Lazar, and President of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia, Rabbi Alexander Boroda, offering blessings and encouragement to the community.

Rabbi Ephraim Kolpak, Chief Rabbi and Chabad emissary to Birobidzhan, led the ceremony and expressed deep gratitude to all who made the event possible. In his remarks, he noted the continued impact of the Scheiner family, who served in the city in the past and sponsored the Torah’s ornate mantel.

The event also saw the participation of the district’s governor, who praised the Jewish community for its contributions to regional life and its commitment to preserving Jewish heritage and educating the next generation.

Photos by: L. Churilina