Hundreds of thousands of Jews from across the Former Soviet Union, in over 500 of the FJC’s Jewish communities, took part in the prayers, celebrations and special traditions of the High Holidays and joyous festivals of the Hebrew month of ‘Tishrei’.

Led by the community rabbis and hundreds of additional young rabbis who volunteered to assist the smaller and remote communities, the prayers on Rosh-Hashanah and Yom-Kippur managed this year to attract a record number of participants, many of them arriving at Synagogue for the first time. A creative campaign, inviting members to attend played an important role in this year’s success.

Gatherings, events and joyous parties throughout Sukkot and Simchat Torah were also attended by large crowds of both men and women of all ages, including children and youth that had special events created for them.   The new and rapidly growing EnerJew Jewish youth movement also held parties and voluntary activities for its young activists in ten different cities.

In parallel, food parcels, financial aid and clothing were distributed to thousands of needy pensioners, families and children across the FSU.