Moscow Opens Its 39th Chabad House and Jewish Community Center
Moscow’s Jewish community has expanded once again with the opening of the city’s 39th Chabad House and Jewish Community Center, providing a new home for Jewish life in the Cheryomushki neighborhood. Chief Rabbi of Russia Rabbi Berel Lazar led the inauguration, affixing the mezuzah at the entrance to the new center on Nakhimovsky Prospekt. Community […]
Tens of Thousands of Food Packages and Rosh Hashanah Kits Distributed Across Ukraine
Disruptions in the supply of basic goods and prolonged closures of stores have prompted JRNU to significantly expand its food distribution efforts for Jewish communities across Ukraine ahead of Rosh Hashanah and the Tishrei holidays. At the same time, community rabbis are reporting particularly strong attendance at Rosh Hashanah services, as many local Jews seek […]
Tallinn Mikvah Reopens in Historic and Moving Ceremony
After several months of closure, Estonia’s Jewish mikvah in Tallinn reopened on September 6 following a comprehensive renovation completed in just a month and a half. “For a Jewish community, a mikvah is not simply another room in a building or another renovation project,” community members said. “It is one of the foundations of Jewish […]
Marina Roscha Releases High Holiday Album “Tefilah LeDavid” / Audio
The Marina Roscha Jewish community in Moscow has released “Tefilah LeDavid,” a new album of High Holiday prayers and melodies performed by the Chief Cantor of the Central Synagogue, Rabbi David Caytak. Initiated by the Chief Rabbi of Russia, Rabbi Berel Lazar, the project was created in connection with the community’s centennial and is intended […]
“Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates”: Historic Composition Performed in Kaliningrad 130 Years After Synagogue’s Dedication
The Jewish community of Kaliningrad, historically known as Königsberg, marked the 130th anniversary of the dedication of the city’s Grand Synagogue with a special gathering that brought together hundreds of community members, public figures, and guests. The highlight of the evening was the performance of “Se’u She’arim Rasheichem” (“Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates”), […]
Thousands of Jewish Students Begin New Academic Year Across FJC’s ‘Or Avner’ Network
Thousands of Jewish children and youngsters across seven countries of the former Soviet Union are returning to their classrooms as the Federation of Jewish Communities (FJC) ‘Or Avner’ Jewish Educational Network opens the 2026–2027 academic year. From daycare centers and kindergartens to elementary schools, high schools and higher education institutions, hundreds of educational institutions and […]
Riga’s Chabad Or Avner School Begins New Academic Year in Temporary Home Ahead of Major Renovation
The Chabad ‘Or Avner’ Jewish School in Riga, Latvia, opened the new academic year in a new temporary location, where students will study throughout the coming school year. The opening ceremony was attended by Yaakov Hagoel, Chairman of the World Zionist Organization, who joined students, parents, school leaders and community representatives in marking the beginning […]
Jewish University Campuses Welcome New Students for the Academic Year
The Jewish University in Moscow opened the 2026–2027 academic year on September 1, welcoming new students across its campuses with ceremonies marking the beginning of a new year of learning and growth. At the Machon Chamesh campus, more than 30 new female students joined the university community. Students were welcomed by Jewish University President Rabbi […]
Memorial Plaque Unveiled at Historic Jewish Synagogue in Viljandi
A memorial plaque marking the history of a former Jewish prayer house was unveiled in the Estonian city of Viljandi, bringing renewed attention to the Jewish community that was once part of the city’s life. The plaque was installed on the facade of the building at Kauba 3, where local Jews gathered for prayer and […]
Warsaw Hosts SmartJ 2026 Summer Conference for Educators and Mentors
At the end of July, approximately 100 SmartJ coordinators, educators, and mentors from across the former Soviet Union gathered in Warsaw for the project’s 2026 summer conference. Over three days, participants took part in professional learning sessions, exchanged experience and ideas, explored new approaches, and became acquainted with the programs and tools planned for the […]