After extensive and dedicated preparation, Moscow – the capital of Russia – is looking back with great satisfaction on the success of the Pesach Seders held on both nights of the Yom Tov, across dozens of neighborhoods throughout the city. Thousands of Jews sat down to beautifully set tables – halachically proper – at Seders led by community rabbis and Chabad shluchim who serve the city throughout the year.

As every year, the large public Seder was held at the magnificent Marina Roscha Central Synagogue, which was adorned with breathtaking décor evoking Yetziyas Miztrayim. The Seder was conducted with great splendor and glory, well into the early morning hours, by the Chief Rabbi of Russia and Shliach Rabbi Berel Lazar, joined by community director Rabbi Mordechai Weisberg. Together with the adjoining halls, the complex hosted over 1,200 people!

At the same time, Pesach Seders were held at all of the city’s educational institutions, with hundreds of students participating, as well as warm public Seders at every Chabad House spread across the capital’s neighborhoods. Alongside the sale of Pesach products in kosher stores, thousands of packages of hand-shmurah matzah were distributed to every Jew who purchased matzos, ensuring that all could fulfill the mitzva in the most beautiful way.

The highlight this year was the Kimcha d’Pischa campaign at the Sha’arei Tzedek Jewish Chesed Center facilities, which provided staple foods, meat, wine, and matzos – with full dignity – to all who were in need. In addition to the efforts in the capital, dozens of yeshiva bochurim from Moscow traveled to distant cities and towns to organize Seders for Jews in communities without a permanent rabbi, successfully reaching – b’siyata diShmaya – every corner of Russia, so that local Jews could celebrate Pesach in the proper manner.

Photography: Levi Nazarov