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 perspective. Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar delivered the keynote address, while Rabbi Alexander Boroda, President of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Russia, received a special historical memento. Businessman and philanthropist Lev Leviev, who serves as President of the Federation of Jewish Communities (FJC), spoke movingly about increasing Jewish activities despite recent personal loss. The brother of Rabbi Tzvi Kogan, who was tragically murdered in Abu Dhabi last month, also shared a message about spreading light in times of darkness. Rabbi Mordechai Weisberg, who directs Moscow’s Jewish community, coordinated the event.
The celebration coincided with Yud-Tes Kislev, a holiday commemorating a historical event in Jewish history when Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, was released from imprisonment in 1798. This date is considered particularly meaningful in Moscow, where these historical events took place.
Chief Rabbi Lazar shared a poignant story about the center’s history. The original Marina Roscha synagogue, which served the community for nearly 100 years, was destroyed by fire in the early 1990s. Rather than being defeated, the community rallied together and built an even larger center – expanding from the original wooden two-story building to today’s seven-story complex that houses schools, museums, and various Jewish institutions.
The evening featured performances by the Neshama choir from Israel and included special memorial mentions for recently deceased community members. Community leaders distributed meaningful historical items as prizes, including rare religious artifacts.
The event concluded with numerous attendees committing to increased participation in Jewish life and education, demonstrating the center’s ongoing vital role in supporting and growing Moscow’s Jewish community.
This celebration highlighted how the Marina Roscha Jewish Center has become a symbol of Jewish revival in post-Soviet Russia, serving as a hub for religious, educational, and cultural activities for Jews of all backgrounds in Moscow.
