After extensive preparations, the central “Marina Roscha” Synagogue and Jewish Community Center in the heart of Moscow stood resplendent and ready to accommodate the throngs of worshipers and guests who arrived from far and wide to celebrate the two days of Rosh Hashanah and the following Shabbos.
On the eve of the holiday, the new year was ushered in with a sermon by the Chief Rabbi of Russia, Rabbi Berel Lazar, on the essence of the holiday and the day’s special commandments. At the conclusion of the prayers, the congregation stood in line to receive blessings from the Chief Rabbi, who presented each with a warm greeting, an apple with honey, a pomegranate, and a guide to the month of Tishrei.
The prayers at the central synagogue, which was meticulously organized in advance with prayer books, yarmulkes, tallitot, and everything else needed for both regular worshipers and guests, were conducted in an uplifting atmosphere led by the chief cantor, Rabbi Dovid Caytak. The prayers were followed by festive holiday meals.
Throughout the holiday, numerous Torah and Chassidut classes were held at the synagogue, and the custom of Tashlich was performed near the fishpond on the synagogue grounds.
Alongside a congratulatory message from Russian President Vladimir Putin, numerous letters of greeting arrived during the holiday, including from the Prime Minister, the Mayor, regional governors, members of parliament, and many public figures.
These blessed results came after much labor and investment, both in the synagogue itself and in the Chabad Houses and other synagogues in the Russian capital, for the sake of the thousands of Jews of Moscow, to encourage them to come with their families and households to prayers and shofar blowing. Volunteers even visited several prisons to bring the sound of the shofar to Jewish inmates, in addition to distributing holiday kits to thousands of Jews and food packages for large families, the elderly, and the lonely.
Photos: Levi Nazarov
