Irkutsk Synagogue Celebrates 140th Anniversary
The Jewish community of Irkutsk, Russia is celebrating the 140th anniversary of the city’s synagogue this year. The synagogue is one of the oldest synagogues in the country – it was built by Irkutsk’s Jewish community, which included people from all walks of life and occupations, in 1880. The synagogue was also active during the […]
FJCR Rabbis Secure Rights to Visit Jewish Prisoners in Moscow
The FJC of Russia signed an agreement with the country’s Federal Corrections Authority (FCA) about visiting Jewish prisoners in Moscow jails recently. Under the agreement, FJC rabbis have the right to visit Jewish prisoners, provide spiritual guidance and give lessons on Jewish tradition. The agreement is an update of a similar agreement valid since 2017, […]
EnerJew ‘Gives Light’ to Disadvantaged Children
EnerJew, the FSU’s Jewish youth movement, raised over $13,000 for charity this Chanukah in an annual ‘Giving Light’ fundraiser run together with the LifeChanger FSU humanitarian service. The money will benefit LifeChanger children in distress. This is the third year EnerJew is running the fundraiser, in which candles that the region’s Jewish teenagers light over […]
Darkeinu Runs ‘Forward-thinking’ Seminar in Odessa
Teachers and pedagogical staff of Russian-language Jewish schools throughout the FSU and Israel gathered in Odesa, Ukraine last month for an educational seminar run by FJC’s Darkeinu curriculum. Overall 29 Jewish studies’ professionals from 14 cities participated in the three-day seminar, whose program this year was focused on learning new educational techniques; networking; exchanging ideas […]
Chanukah Celebrations Warm Up the FSU
Over a thousand festive events took place in the FSU during Chanukah this year, with every FJC community organizing many holiday celebrations. From Siberia to the Black Sea, Jews are participating in public Menorah lightings, coming to concerts and parties, enjoying tasty treats and bonding over shared heritage and traditions. Besides general community events many […]
Jews Celebrate Hanukkah in Moscow. Some Still Can’t Believe It
For the 30th year running, Jews gathered just steps from the Kremlin to light a ceremonial menorah. The Moscow Times Early Sunday evening, several hundred Jews gathered on Ploshchad Revolyutsii, a central square in Moscow, for the 30th straight year to celebrate the start of the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Behind the back of a large statue […]
100 Year Old Nazi Fighter Lights Menorah for the First Time
It’s never too late! A special facebook post, by Rabbi Chaim Danziger from the Jewish community of Rostov, Russia: This Chanukah we visited Yefim Isaakovich Kravchik and lit the fourth candle with him. This was his first time lighting the menorah ever. Today also happens to be his 100th birthday. Efim Isaakovich endured a lot […]
Majestic ice menorah ready for Hanukkah in freezing Siberia
The menorah is expected to stand outside the synagogue in Tomsk until it warms up around Pesach. By ROSSELLA TERCATIN | The Jerusalem Post A majestic ice menorah is ready to warm up the freezing city of Tomsk, Siberia, where it’s going to be lit every night of the festival of Hanukkah. Hanukkah, known as […]
For the Thirtieth Time: The Miracles in Those Days in These Times
First Chanuka candle lit by Chief Rabbi of Russia* Center of Moscow brightly lit up* Modern Day Pirsumei Nisa His voice echoed throughout the Red Square as Rabbi Berel Lazar, Chief Rabbi of Russia recited the three blessings while standing in a forklift over the statue of Karl Marx at the Kremlin gates. The large […]
Zelensky congratulates Jews of Ukraine with Hanukkah
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated the Jewish community on Hanukkah. The corresponding message is published on the website of the head of state. “I heartily congratulate the Jewish community on Hanukkah – a holiday that is filled with the joy of communication in the family circle, good deeds and sincere hopes for the merciful love of […]