By COLlive reporter
Scores of Moscow Jews attended a public Menorah lighting ceremony on the first night of Chanukah held in the Red Square, which separates the Kremlin and the historic merchant quarter.
Honored with the lighting was Russia’s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar. The Shamash candle was lit by Alexander Turchin, the Deputy Speaker of the Duma parliament. “Mazal Tov and Happy Holiday,” he wished the crowd.
For many Jews, such a scene was unimaginable not too long ago. Chabad, which organized the ceremony, ran an underground operation during the Communist regime to sustain Judaism and Jewish life.
Today, 50,000 sets of personal Menorahs and candles produced by the Federation of Jewish Communities in Russia are being distributed across the Former Soviet Union, FJC.ru reports.
Warmly welcomed by the Jewish population, the kit aims to assist every single Jew throughout the countries of the FSU to easily perform the festive commandment. They include a home sized Menorah, colorful candles, a Dreidal, instructions and a QR leading to a YouTube video explaining how simple it is to light the Menorah in the comfort of your home.
In addition, public Menorah lighting ceremonies are expected in hundreds of locations, including some of the most exciting locations formerly representing the strongholds of the Communist regime.
it’s good that Russian Jews can enjoy the “togetherness” of sharing the celebration.
Thank you, V. V. Putin.
what a wonderful event!
Who would believe what can happen in a few decades ?
The world is full of Nissim
Look around