The Jewish community of Birobidzhan is taking part in a new initiative to create a permanent space for remembrance and reflection in Russia’s Jewish Autonomous Region, further expanding its role as a source of support for local residents and families.

The memorial space is being established as part of the federal “Land of Memory” project, following discussions between regional Governor Maria Kostyuk and representatives involved in supporting bereaved families. The Jewish Autonomous Region formally joined the project in July 2026.

The planned site will preserve soil brought from places connected with those being commemorated, creating a dedicated location where relatives can gather, remember their loved ones and find a measure of comfort.

Governor Kostyuk emphasized the importance of providing families with physical spaces of remembrance and expressed appreciation for the organizations and community representatives participating in the initiative.

For Birobidzhan’s Jewish community, led by its Chief Rabbi and Chabad emissary Rabbi Efraim Kolpak, participation in the project is part of a broader commitment to the well-being of the region’s residents. Alongside its religious and educational work, the community has developed an active network of social assistance and continues to provide practical and emotional support to people facing difficult circumstances.

The initiative reflects the community’s growing role in the wider life of the Jewish Autonomous Region, combining Jewish communal activity with care and support for families throughout the area.