New Jewish Community Center Approved for Construction in Ulyanovsk
After more than a decade of planning, the Jewish community of Ulyanovsk has received approval to move forward with the construction of a major new Jewish community center in the heart of the city. The five-story complex, covering approximately 4,400 square meters, will bring together a synagogue, mikvah, educational institutions, social and humanitarian services, and […]
Historic Milestone in Pervomaisk: New Mikvah Opens After More Than 80 Years
A historic and emotional event took place recently in Pervomaisk, in Ukraine’s Mykolaiv region, as the local Jewish community inaugurated a new and beautifully built mikvah — the first to open in the city since the dark days of the Holocaust. Despite light rain during the ceremony, many members of the community gathered to celebrate […]
Art, Prayer and Jewish Tradition Meet at Birobidzhan Festival
A distinctive encounter between art and Jewish tradition took place during the International Festival of Jewish Culture and Arts in Birobidzhan, where Rabbi Ovadia Isakov, Chief Rabbi of Derbent and an accomplished artist, presented his work and met with local art students. A personal exhibition of Rabbi Isakov’s paintings was displayed at Birobidzhan’s Rodina Cinema […]
Rabbis and Jewish Leaders Join Birobidzhan Dialogue on Community, Family, Education and Tradition
Rabbis, Jewish educators and community leaders from across Russia took part in a series of meetings and educational programs in Birobidzhan during the XIV International Festival of Jewish Culture and Arts, focusing on Jewish education, family life, cultural heritage and opportunities for future cooperation. Among the participants were Rabbi Yonatan Feldman, Head of the Education […]
More Than 150 Events Bring Jewish Culture to Life Across Birobidzhan
The XIV International Festival of Jewish Culture and Arts brought five days of concerts, exhibitions, educational programs and community events to Birobidzhan and communities throughout Russia’s Jewish Autonomous. Returning after an eight-year break, the festival included more than 150 events held across Birobidzhan and the region’s districts. The diverse program introduced residents and visitors to […]
Ukrainian Jews Mark Fifth Year of Crisis High Holidays
Amid drone strikes and blackouts, Jewish holidays and celebrations remain unchanged By Faygie Levy Holt | Chabad.org | Photo: Miriam Moskovitz leads a challah bake during pre-Rosh Hashanah Shabbaton for her Kharkiv community. Just two weeks before the start of Rosh Hashanah, a drone exploded near Chabad-Lubavitch of Kyiv, Ukraine—a reminder, as if anyone needed […]
Danny, my child of the year
Who is the wide-eyed boy who stands at the window every morning at Mishpacha Ukraine in Odessa, and what is the story behind him – a story no one planned to tell. The Jerusalem Post | By Herzl Kosashvili | Photo: Danny with his personal caregiver, Mushki. He stood at the window. That was the […]
New Rabbi and Chabad Emissary to Serve Historic Jewish Community of Gomel
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Kot, together with his wife Rachel and their family, is moving to Gomel, Belarus, where they will serve as Chabad emissaries, and Rabbi Kot will assume the role of the Jewish community’s chief rabbi. Rabbi Kot is the son of the Chief Rabbi of Estonia, Shmuel Kot, continuing a family tradition of […]
Thousands of Jewish Teens ‘Check In’ as EnerJew Launches New Season Across the FSU
Thousands of Jewish teenagers across the former Soviet Union are beginning a new year of friendship, activity, Jewish learning and community involvement as the FJC’s EnerJew youth movement launches its 5787 season across more than 80 clubs in 11 countries. This year, EnerJew is placing a special emphasis on one central idea: from the club […]
New ‘Smile of the Heart’ Child Development Center Opens in Moscow
A new center dedicated to supporting children with special needs has officially opened in Moscow under the leadership of Rabbi Avraham Elimelech Gedz. The new facility, “Улыбка сердца” — “Smile of the Heart” — is designed to provide children and their families with a comprehensive educational and therapeutic framework in one welcoming setting. The center’s […]