Young Jews Turn Out in Force for Rosh Hashanah in Moscow

The two days of Rosh Hashanah 5787 were celebrated with great spiritual uplift by thousands of Yidden across Moscow. The Yom Tov was marked by heartfelt tefillos, the mitzvah of shofar on the second day of Rosh Hashanah, and a renewed kabbalas ol malchus Shamayim.

Shuls and Chabad Houses across the Russian capital were filled to capacity. Yidden from across the spectrum of the community gathered for the Rosh Hashanah tefillos, each in their local community, davening for a good and blessed year.

The sounds of tefillah could be heard at each location, as the crowds stood with awe and reverence during the Rosh Hashanah davening, culminating on the second day with the central mitzvah of the day, the sounding of the shofar and the renewed acceptance of malchus Shamayim.

Shortly before the onset of Shabbos and Yom Tov, a significantly larger crowd than in previous years poured into the Marina Roscha Central Synagogue. Just minutes before davening began, the Mara D’Asra and Chief Rabbi of Russia, Rabbi Berl Lazar, read aloud a congratulatory letter from Russian President Vladimir Putin. The letter had been sent to his office that morning, addressed to Russian Jewry, and was subsequently distributed to communities nationwide.

In his address, the Chief Rabbi highlighted the unique qualities of the new year, which began on Shabbos, when the shofar is not sounded in accordance with the decree of Chazal. He continued with words of inspiration about the kedusha of the day, emphasizing the special opportunity to begin the new year with renewed dedication to Torah study, yiras Shamayim, Ahavas Yisroel, and the observance of mitzvos.

Throughout the two days of Yom Tov, the Chief Rabbi delivered shiurim and drashos to the general congregation, as well as to hundreds of young Jews who gathered for separate tefillos and Yom Tov meals at the dining hall of the Shaarey Tzedek Jewish Chesed Center, located a short walk from the Central Synagogue. On Motzei Shabbos, the second night of Rosh Hashanah, large numbers of congregants lined up for over an hour at the Central Synagogue to receive a personal bracha. Each person received from the Chief Rabbi a special Yom Tov package containing a pomegranate, an apple, and a jar of honey to take home.

Numerous minyanim were held at shuls across the city, particularly in the newly established communities that opened over the past year. Many locations reported a significant increase in attendance for the Yom Tov tefillos and shofar blowing. The tefillos were accompanied by festive Yom Tov meals hosted by the local shluchim. In the weeks leading up to Rosh Hashanah, the shluchim invited Jewish families to receive a new Jewish calendar and a special Yom Tov kit for the entire family, helping them connect with their Jewish roots and observe the mitzvos of the Yom Tov.

Extensive mivtzoim were also conducted throughout Moscow. Bikur Cholim of Moscow delivered festive food packages to hospitalized Jews before Yom Tov, while dedicated volunteers blew shofar for Jewish inmates. During the communal procession for Tashlich, many Jews encountered along the way were given the opportunity to hear shofar, creating a powerful Kiddush Hashem.

The impact of these efforts is expected to continue into the coming days, as Moscow’s Jewish communities prepare with renewed energy for Yom Kippur and Sukkos.

Photos: Levy Nazarov