KRASNOYARSK, Russia – The Head of the Education Department for the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia, Rabbi Zeyev Wagner, recently paid a visit to Krasnoyarsk. He viewed the work of the local Jewish Community Center and took part in this week's seminar for community chairmen and directors of Jewish Sunday Schools operating in Russia's Siberian and Far East regions. At the seminar, Rabbi Wagner presented a lecture on various issues concerning Sunday school education and answered the participants' many questions.
In addition to attending this seminar, Rabbi Wagner also took the opportunity to visit numerous Jewish communities in Central Siberia, for which he was accompanied by Chief Rabbi of Krasnoyarsk Benyamin Wagner and the FJC Russia Coordinator for Siberia, Mikhail Usov.
Achinsk, a city of 119,000, was one of the communities visited. Members of the FJC Russia delegation met with leaders of the local Jewish community. One of the points of discussion concerned the possibility that the building that hosted the city's original Synagogue may be returned to the Jewish community. This historical building, erected in 1907 with funds collected by local Jews, currently hosts an ambulance station.
The visiting Jewish leaders also visited the city of Abakan, where they met with the Chairman of the Jewish community for this Siberian city, Grigoriy Pekhotnikov. The example of this local leader and the community's grassroots activity is an example of devotion and love to Jewry. In addition to establishing an office/ hall for the community, the community has also established and maintains a Jewish library and a performing arts ensemble.
At their next stop in Minusinsk, the Chairman of the local Jewish community, Daniil Reznitzky, joined other community leaders in discussing community affairs with their guests. They also proudly told about the fate of three Torah scrolls, which are currently placed in a local museum. These scrolls are in good condition and date back to sometime during the 19th century.
The nearby village of Bondaryovo used to be home to a relatively large number of Jews, who were driven there from Voronezh Region in the 19th century. Later, these Jews were joined by Molokans and Khakas people, who were also settled there by force. This community had both its own prayer house and shoichet.
Traces of religious life may still be found today in this village. Some local residents have Jewish names and religious utensils in their homes – prayer books, talits and old kipas. Some of them also observe kashrut through till this day. Rabbi Zeyev Wagner paid a visit to one of these local residents, who showed him a unique Jewish calendar he had made himself, by doing research using old Jewish publications and books on astronomy.
Siberia is home to a great number of Jewish communities that are members of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia. These visits represent just one part of the FJC's outreach activities.
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