Moscow’s 35th Annual Public Menorah Lighting Brightens Kremlin Square
In a powerful display of Jewish continuity and religious freedom in modern Russia, Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar led Moscow’s 35th consecutive public Chanukah celebration at the foot of the Kremlin walls, marking a significant milestone for the city’s Jewish community. The ceremony began with community chairman Rabbi Baruch Gorin providing context about Chanukah’s historical significance […]
Chief Rabbi of Russia Visits Jewish Prisoners in World’s Oldest Prison
In a meaningful continuation of his annual tradition, Russia’s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar visited Moscow’s historic Butyrki prison during Chanukah, demonstrating the ongoing commitment to supporting Jewish inmates’ religious and spiritual needs. The visit, which took place on Friday afternoon during Chanukah, began with a warm welcome from prison administrators, who briefed Rabbi Lazar on […]
Jewish Baby of Odessa Touched the Heart of Ukrainian Mayor
During Chanukah, Odessa’s mayor met Tuvia, a baby who captured the hearts of thousands worldwide as a one-month-old when media spotlighted the FJC Mishpacha orphanage. A public Menorah lighting was held at the iconic Potemkin Stairs, a 142-meter-long staircase serving as the city’s main gateway from the port. When the crisis in Ukraine began, the […]
Molotov Cocktail Thrown at Synagogue in Mykolaiv, Ukraine
Surveillance footage showed how an individual threw a Molotov cocktail at the central synagogue in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, last Tuesday. The suspect fled the scene quickly. No people were injured, but damage was caused to the synagogue’s door, said Rabbi Sholom Gottlieb, the city’s Chief Rabbi and Chabad emissary. An unknown individual threw a Molotov cocktail […]
New Chabad House and JCC Opens in Moscow’s Tech Hub, Marking Jewish Community Growth
In a significant development for Moscow’s Jewish community, a new Chabad House and Jewish Community Center opened its doors in Zelenograd during this year’s Chanukah celebration. The inauguration, which took place on the fifth night of the holiday, marks a milestone for the thousands of Jewish residents in this science-focused district of Moscow. Zelenograd, often […]
Moscow Jewish Center Celebrates Dual Anniversary with Community Gathering
The Marina Roscha Jewish Center in Moscow recently hosted a significant celebration marking both a historical Chassidic-Jewish holiday and its own 25th anniversary. The event drew thousands from Moscow’s Jewish community and featured distinguished guests including Mr. Yevgeny Yeromin, head of the religious affairs department. Several community leaders addressed the gathering, each bringing their unique […]
Where It All Began: Yud-Tet Kislev Celebrated in the Cradle of Chassidut
Thousands of Jews took part in hundreds of Chassidic gatherings, events, workshops, classes, and lectures held over the past weekend in Jewish communities throughout the Former Soviet Union in honor of the 19th of Kislev — a day known as the “New Year of Chassidism.” In addition to the festive community events, hundreds of additional […]
Western Ukraine: Combined Leadership Seminar in Carpathian Mountains Strengthens Youth Activities During Challenging Times
A joint leadership training seminar was held in the Carpathian Mountains of Ukraine to reinforce and enhance the Jewish youth movement’s activities across the country. The EnerJew, operating under FJC’s guidance and with JRNU support, brought together both counselors and coordinators from more than thirteen cities and regions throughout Ukraine. The combined seminar took place […]
Training and Empowerment: EnerJew’s ‘School of Madrichim’ Nurtures Next Generation in Moscow
The activity of EnerJew, FJC’s Jewish youth movement in the FSU, continues to expand, professionalize, and prepare the future generation of Jewish leaders in the region. The EnerJew ‘School of Madrichim’ recently hosted 45 young leaders from twenty-nine cities and regions across Russia and Belarus, focusing on combining professional development with positive energy and Jewish […]
The Young Rabbis Choosing to Live on Ukraine’s Frontlines
Children of veteran Chabad emissaries in Ukraine return home Based on an article by Motti Wilhelm | Chabad.org Rabbi Reuven Kaminezki is no stranger to Ukraine. Born and raised in Dnipro, Reuven has returned home many times since the crisis broke out in 2022 to support the Jewish community’s critical humanitarian and spiritual missions. So […]