A growing Jewish miracle is ablaze in humble Moldova.
The phenomenon can only be appreciated amid the context of Moldovan life. As the small country continues its thirty-year trend of depopulation, Moldova’s Jewish community has likewise experienced significant atrophy. Young people and middle-aged adults are emigrating in droves, seeking economic opportunity that simply doesn’t exist in their homeland.
Ranking as the most impoverished country in Europe, the cost of living is untenable for the majority of Moldova’s citizens.
Average Moldova household (two adults) net monthly income: $1058
Average monthly cost of utilities: $216
Average monthly cost of food: $248
Average monthly household rent: $573
The costs of food, electricity, and fuel of all kinds jumped with Putin’s Ukraine invasion in February 2022. Practically speaking, most families are unable to afford to feed themselves. Under conditions as dire as these, no one would expect a vibrant reawakening of Jewish life – but Chabad of Moldova missed the memo, and they’re raising critical funds today to keep Yiddishkait rocking – check out Charidy.com/Moldova.
Five devoted families have harnessed the Rebbe’s directives to reach every single Jew, managing to bring Yiddishkait back to life in the unlikeliest of places. Amongst a local community who viewed Chabad and Judaism as old and uninspiring, the shluchim have flipped the script: for the first time in over thirty years, Yiddishkait is relevant, engaging, and meaningful.
How can a starving community transform decades of decline into a flourishing rebirth…
The very survival of Moldova’s Jewish community is entirely reliant on foreign donations. Such is the nature of golus: poverty demands tzedakah, righteousness, from those more fortunate. It is incumbent upon those who have food to share with those who don’t, and that’s just to cover the basics. All the moreso, the cost of rejuvenating a Jewish community after decades of decline depends on funds from overseas.
When the Rebbe said each of us has an achrayis to find every single Jew, the Rebbe meant Moldova, and the Rebbe meant Crown Heights, and the Rebbe meant you. When Russia invaded Ukraine and civilians became refugees overnight, the world stepped up to support the victims. When Hamas attacked Israel, Jews around the globe came together, continuing to support their brothers and sisters in the Holy Land. Help Chabad of Moldova continue to ignite the flame of Judaism within your brothers and sisters in Moldova – local, visitor, refugee…everyone.
This is amazing