Triple Celebration in Kherson

The Jewish community in Kherson held a triple celebration: 18 (“Chai”) years of renewed Jewish life in Kherson marked by welcoming a new Torah Scroll, the dedication of the newly renovated Jewish Community Center, and Gala dinner.

Rabbis, Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries, and government officials participated in this grand Chai celebration.

Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Wolf, Chief Rabbi of Kherson, and an emissary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, opened the festivities with a moving speech. He recalled the history of the rejuvenation of the Jewish community in Kherson with the support of Lev Leviev.

He also expressed his gratitude to Chabad philanthropist George Rohr for his generous donations, granted via Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky – Vice Chairman of Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch, to the Kherson community.

“The Jewish Kherson owes them a big thank for their ongoing support,” Rabbi Wolf said.

Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar, who came especially for this unique celebration, spoke next, after which the Jewish mayor of Kherson expressed his pride in the events of the day, coming in proximity to Kherson’s 230th anniversary.

The streets of Kherson were closed off as hundreds of Jews danced joyfully with the newly completed Torah Scroll to accompany it to the newly renovated synagogue.

At the entrance to the exquisitely renovated synagogue, the ribbon was cut, Rabbi Lazar attached the mezuzah, and the Torah scroll was brought into the holy ark after the traditional circuitous dancing with the Torah.

The exciting events of the day culminated with a gala dinner celebrating 18 years since the arrival in Kherson of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s emissary, Rabbi Y.Y. Wolf.

Fellow emissaries from around the CIS, rabbis, friends, family, community members and supporters remembered the early years and expressing amazement at the tremendous accomplishments in such a short time.

Among the honored participants were Rabbi Sholom Gottlieb – Nikolayev, Rabbi Shlomo Wilhelm and Rabbi Nachshon Rubin – Zhitomir, Rabbi Nochum Eherntreu – Zaporozhye, Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky, Rabbi Meir Stambler, Rabbi Elisha Baram and Rabbi Eyal Barak – Dnepropetrovsk, and Rabbi Chaim Friedman of Keren Or Avner.

The event was coordinated by Fleischman Productions.