Two new Chabad Houses were dedicated for Moscow’s thriving Jewish population one in the Noviy-Veshki neighborhood by Shliach Rabbi Zalman Shimon Deren, and one in the Pokrovsky neighborhood by Shliach Rabbi Yechezkel Lazar.
Photos: Levi Nazarov
Two uplifting and emotional events at two separate locations were celebrated a few days apart. Two new Chabad Houses were dedicated: one in the Noviy-Veshki neighborhood by Shliach Rabbi Zalman Shimon Deren, and one in the Pokrovsky neighborhood by Shliach Rabbi Yechezkel Lazar.
Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar was honored with affixing the mezuzas on the main entrances of both Chabad Houses. He also spoke at both events, encouraging the local Jewish residents to frequent their shul more regularly and to reach out to their Jewish friends and acquaintances and invite them to join a Torah class or other Jewish activity, thus enriching the entire community which has already outgrown their previous locations.
Rabbi Deren, who also serves as the Mazkir of Russia’s Chief Rabbinate, spoke words of Torah and warmly thanked the dear sponsors and supporters who enabled the move into the beautiful new facility, thus allowing the Jewish community to thrive, by offering more Jewish programs and activities in addition to the regular tefilos, Torah classes and Shabbat and Holiday meals. Philanthropist Levi Leviev, President of the Federation of Jewish Communities in the FSU, also spoke as the founder of the neighborhood who greatly assisted, alongside others, in the establishment of the spacious new Chabad House.
Rabbi Yechezkel Lazar, who serves as the Rabbi to Simferopol, Crimea, was asked to also lead the new community that was formed in the Pokrovsky neighborhood by Mr. Dan Gurevitch and his partner Mr. Oz Goltzman, for many members of the “Solomon Charity Club” who live in the area. The community has grown, and has since moved into a new facility.
Both of these Chabad Houses join the nearly forty branches that are spread throughout the capital city, serving as spiritual lighthouses for Moscow’s thousands of Jewish residents.
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