Moscow Jewish Community Completes High Holiday Preparations Amidst Expansion
Moscow's Jewish community prepared for the High Holidays with expanded social and educational services, receiving an official greeting from President Vladimir Putin.
The Jewish community in Moscow has recently completed its preparations for the High Holidays, amidst a significant momentum of development in community, educational, and welfare institutions across the Russian capital. Alongside logistical preparations for thousands of participants in holiday events, the community received official recognition from the Kremlin. Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a special congratulatory message to the country's Chief Rabbi, Berel Lazar, and to all Jews of Russia for the New Year.
Expansion of Community Services
In his letter, Putin noted that Rosh Hashanah symbolizes a quest for moral and spiritual elevation, praising the contribution of Jewish organizations to social, educational, and charitable initiatives, alongside the preservation of family values and heritage. Similar letters were sent by senior government officials and the Moscow municipality.
The holiday preparations were accompanied by a practical expansion of community services:
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Innovative Therapy Center: The "Smile of the Heart" Child Development Center was inaugurated, managed by Avraham Elimelech Gadzh. The institution provides comprehensive care for children, youth, and adults with special needs.
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Suburban Expansion: A new community center—the 39th Chabad center in the city—was opened in the Cheryomushki neighborhood in southwest Moscow, managed by David Khunlidze, near the major hospital managed by Prof. Mark Kurtzer.
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Affordable Kosher Cuisine: To make kosher food accessible to the general public, the "Kosher Style" restaurant opened on Novo-Slobodskaya Street, managed by Alexander Lakshin, promising affordable prices.
Welfare and Holiday Outreach
"The community continues to expand its vital social and educational infrastructure while ensuring that every individual can celebrate the holidays with dignity," community representatives noted.
Simultaneously, the "Shaarei Tzedek" Jewish Welfare Center distributed thousands of food packages to needy families, the elderly, and the lonely to ensure their holiday needs are met. During the holidays themselves, thousands of people are expected to visit the central "Marina Roscha" synagogue, while community volunteers will conduct visits to hospitals and prisons in the area to allow every Jew to mark the holiday.
