Sukkos in Moscow was celebrated this year with a particularly uplifting atmosphere in the plaza of the central synagogue “Marina Roshcha,” with a piercing prayer for the release of all the hostages from Gaza at the heart of the festivities.

Hundreds of Jews gathered in the large sukkah for the uniting of the four species, festive meals prepared for hundreds of participants, and Simchas Beit Hashoeiva dancing that continued every night and even spilled out into the city streets. The main sanctuary of the central shul was filled with masses of worshippers and Torah learners, and the Chief Rabbi of Russia, Rabbi Berel Lazar, conducted a moving Havdalah at the conclusion of the holiday.

Amidst the holiday atmosphere, the Chief Rabbi sent a special gift to Yosef Alexander (Sasha) Trupanov, who was released from captivity in Gaza – a magnificent set of the four species with a beautiful Calabrian etrog, as a continuation of the expressions of support and encouragement to his family throughout the difficult period.

“Last year, when I was in captivity, I never imagined I would merit to fulfill this mitzvah,” Sasha related emotionally. He added heartfelt blessings that all the remaining hostages should also merit to return home and celebrate the holiday with their families next year.

The kitchens in Moscow worked non-stop preparing the holiday meals, and photographer Levi Nazarov documented the highlights of the celebrations – from the uniting of the species to the dancing in the streets.

And this year, according to the directive of the Chief Rabbi, the hospitality room in the central synagogue’s sukkah – “Grisha’s Tzimmer” – stands open to the public throughout all the days of Sukkos from 6:00 am to 2:00 am continuously, with an abundance of light refreshments and varied beverages. The public enjoyed the magnificent and spacious sukkah of the central synagogue, as participants satisfied and refreshed themselves with the plentiful and varied refreshments.

This year’s celebrations in Moscow carry special significance: the joy of the holiday is combined with fervent prayer and hope that next year, all the hostages will return home and they too will be able to celebrate Sukkos in freedom and joy.