History in Brazil As Five Young Couples from Russia Celebrate a Shared Jewish Wedding Ceremony
An unforgettable and deeply emotional event took place in Brazil this Lag BaOmer, as five Jewish couples from Russia and other FSU countries were married under the chuppah during a special celebration attended by 900 Jewish students and young adults participating in the annual YAHAD educational journey.
The couples — Ruslan and Esther (Anastasia), Eliezer (Evgeny) and Elena, Asher (Stanislav) and Malka (Alexandra), Meir (Mark) and Polina, and Netanel (Bogdan) and Michal (Veronika) — chose to establish their homes according to Jewish tradition in a moving ceremony that reflected the continuing revival of Jewish life across the FSU.
The event brought together participants from Jewish communities throughout Russia and neighboring countries who had traveled to Brazil as part of YAHAD’s extensive educational program for students and young adults. The journey served as both a meaningful learning experience and the setting for a remarkable celebration of Jewish continuity.
The stories of the five couples reflect the broader transformation experienced by many Jews throughout the former Soviet Union. After decades during which Jewish identity and religious life were heavily suppressed under Communist rule, a new generation of young Jews is increasingly reconnecting with its heritage, traditions, and community life. Today, Jewish communities across the region offer educational opportunities, humanitarian assistance, cultural activities, and meaningful connections to Jewish identity.
YAHAD, established under the leadership of Russia’s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar and directed by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Wilansky, plays a central role in this work together with the EnerJew youth movement. Through the efforts of Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries across the FSU, thousands of young Jews participate in programs designed to strengthen Jewish learning and community engagement.
Many of the brides and grooms first encountered Jewish life through local Chabad rabbis in their hometowns after growing up with limited exposure to Judaism. Their involvement later expanded through YAHAD’s educational framework, which includes weekly classes, seminars, Shabbat programs, and international educational journeys for outstanding participants. Over the years, these journeys have taken students to destinations throughout Europe, North Africa, and Asia, while this year marked the first visit to South America.
Through these shared experiences, many participants develop close friendships and lasting connections that eventually lead to the establishment of Jewish families rooted in shared values and identity. This year, five couples who met through YAHAD activities chose Lag BaOmer as the day to celebrate their weddings together alongside fellow participants and friends.
The ceremony, produced by Fleishman-Peles Productions, was marked by emotional moments as the couples were escorted to the chuppah by Chabad emissaries and their wives amid singing and celebration. One especially moving moment involved the escort to the chuppah given to one of the couples by philanthropist and businessman Eli Horn and his wife Susan, who have devoted decades to strengthening Jewish communities worldwide.
Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar officiated throughout the evening, moving from one chuppah to another together with rabbis and emissaries representing Jewish communities across the former Soviet Union, including Moscow, Tbilisi, Minsk, Samara, Saratov, Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Kazan, Birobidzhan, and additional cities.
Among the honored guests who participated in the ceremony were FJC leaders Rabbis David Mondshine, Shlomo Chaim Peles, and Shlomo Neeman; Rabbi Avi Cassel of Olami; Rabbi Raphael Shama, head of the Ohr Yisrael Yeshiva in Brazil; and Rabbi Dubi Rabinovich of the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI). Guests who helped support and organize the journey were invited to read the ketubot and serve as witnesses during the weddings.
A particularly emotional moment came with the reading of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s traditional letter to brides and grooms in Hebrew, English, and Russian. Rabbi Yosef Weitman, the Rebbe’s emissary to Paulo and rabbi of the Beit Yaakov–Safra Synagogue, read the Hebrew version. The English version was read by philanthropist Alberto Safra, while Rabbi Menachem Mendel Wilansky delivered the Russian reading.
The evening concluded with a festive Lag BaOmer celebration and bonfire attended by leading Jewish philanthropists from Brazil who hosted the students during their stay, including Alberto Pichiotto, Carlito Dayan, Eli Horn and his son Ephraim, Alberto Dayan, and members of the Safra family.
