Matzah for Pesach
Former Soviet Union Jews prepare for Pesach
Special holiday activities throughout Jewish communities in CIS serve as means for strengthening bond with Jewish roots, traditions
Hundreds of Jewish families residing in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) will participate this Passover in cultural events meant to strengthen their connection to Jewish tradition, as part of a program to boost Jewish communities that is operated by the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and the International fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ).
Until now some 28,000 Jewish children at risk or facing poverty and emotional distress have participated in the program, whose annual cost stands at $6 million.
Baking for Passover in Ukraine (Photo courtesy of JDC)
Among the events planned for Pesach: In Ukraine dozens of people will take part in a seder and prepare traditional holiday dishes. In Siberia children will conduct a special seder they have prepared themselves for their families using powerpoint presentation. In Moscow a seminar focusing on the special Passover customs will be held prior to a communal seder.
Holiday events will also be held in Uzbekistan, Georgia, Caucasia, Moldova, Kirgizstan and Azerbaijan.
The special activities serve as a means to enrich and deepen the Jewish roots in Jewish communities, and are scheduled to take place throughout the holiday. For many of the youth involved this is the first encounter with Jewish values and traditions.
According to IFCJ President, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein: "This activity constitutes one of the highlights of the year-round activities these children and families receive as part of the various programs meant to provide them with spiritual and material support.
"Such a Jewish experience contributes immensely to strengthening the Jewish roots and Jewish essence among the teens and their families."
