KOSTROMA, Russia - For the third year in a row, the Federation of Jewish Communities of the CIS, together with the Joint Distribution Committee, has been operating a relief program for smaller Jewish communities located in Central Russia. As part of this initiative, Chief Rabbi of Kostroma Nison Ruppo visits Jewish communities in this region several times a year.
During the month of Tishrei, Rabbi Ruppo once again toured Kirov, Yoshkar Ola, Cheboksary, Dzerzhinsk, Murom and Ivanovo communities, this time in his Sukkah-on-wheels.
Making its rounds to these small communities, Rabbi Ruppo brought with him a variety of books on Judaism and Jewish traditions, as well as bundles of kosher food. For each visit, he and accompanying rabbinical students took time to speak with local Jews about the holidays.
Jews of Sharya were happy to welcome Rabbi Ruppo to their little community. Despite their small size, community members regularly hold Friday night services and mark every major Jewish holiday. Under the leadership of the Chairman of the local Jewish community, Oleg Vilensky, the community has established both a Jewish Community Center and a library.
Rabbi Ruppo then visited the Jewish community of Kirov, which was re-established five years ago. Under the leadership of Chairman David Khaitov, the community is enjoying several recent developments, including the opening of a 'Chesed' branch and the renovation of the community's office. The community doesn't have a Synagogue, since its historical Synagogue was knocked down by Soviet authorities in favor of constructing an apartment block.
Today, Kirov is home to about 900 Jews, who regularly mark all Jewish holidays in the Community Center. The community has established a library and members of the Burial Society actively maintain the local Jewish cemetery. Local Jewish youth are also active, with young Semion Leiferov having written a community anthem, which everybody performed for their guest rabbi. Jews of Kirov now dream to have their own Synagogue, as well as a permanent rabbi to lead the community.
Despite the fact that Rabbi Ruppo arrived in Yoshkar Ola in the early hours, numerous members of the local Jewish community came out to pay him a warm welcome. The Jewish community, led by Chairman Mark Aron, numbers about 400 people.
Here, local Jews have established a Community Center, Synagogue, Family Club, Library, Burial Society. Local Jews are optimistic about the future of their community.
The next town visited by the mobile Sukkah was Cheboksary, where Rabbi Ruppo was met by 70 active community members. Upon his arrival, Rabbi Ruppo invited everyone to attend his lecture on Sukkot and the 'Arba Minim', which was met with a good, enthusiastic response.
Community Chairman Iosef Vinokur has successfully negotiated that City Administration allot the community an office in the local Palace of Culture. The community has also established there its Library and Youth Club. Cheboksary currently has an energetic community. Jews here are greatly anticipating the day when a Rabbi shall live among them and they may worship in their own Synagogue.
As explained by community Chairman Roman Zitzer, Jewish life in Dzerzhinsk is not as well developed as the other cities visited, but that will change significantly under the leadership of Rabbi Pinchas Klimash, a Chabad Lubavitch emissary who recently moved here to serve as the community's permanent spiritual leader. Rabbi Ruppo confidently stated, "I expect that Rabbi Klimash will jump-start the rebirth of Jewish life here and involve the city's elderly Jewish women, who still speak Yiddish".
While local Jews keenly visited the mobile Sukkah, they also invited Rabbi Ruppo to attend their Sukkot celebration, held in the building leased by the community. Upon learning that pensioner Leonid Krasnov was eager to perform the 'Arba Minim' but could not leave his home due to his poor health, Rabbi Ruppo drove the mobile Sukkah to Leonid's house. Community volunteers helped him downstairs, allowing the devoted Jew to complete the principle mitzvah of Sukkot.
The next city on Rabbi Ruppo's itinerary was Murom, which has not yet registered a community here. While the city has never had a Synagogue, it was served by a resident Rabbi and had two Torah scrolls in its possession. One of the scrolls was destroyed in a fire, while the other became the property of one of Moscow's synagogues following World War Two - a decision made on the basis that Jews who remained in Murom were unable to read Hebrew.
At present, Jewish life in this remote community has begun to develop, with a solid core of devoted community members.
Upon visiting Ivanovo, Rabbi Ruppo learned that the city recently hosted 'Days of Jewish Culture'. Residents of this city received news about the mobile Sukkah and the Tishrei tour through stories featured on local television stations.
At one time, Ivanovo hosted two Synagogues. Today, the city has nearly 400 Jews, who collaborate to organize Jewish celebrations and other events. At the initiative of Chairman Ervin Kirshtein, the local community had organized its own Community Center, Sunday School, Library, Family Club and Youth Club. Here, both young and old Jews continue to dream of the day when a resident rabbi joins them, to lead them spiritually and to organize a prayer house for their use.
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