Donetsk Pilgrimage Honors Rebbe

ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia [FJC] — A group of members of the Jewish community of Donetsk took part in a visit to Rostov-on-Don to honor of one of a great Jewish leader of the Chassidic tradition. This visit took place in the lead-up to the anniversary of the birth of the fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Shalom-Dovber (otherwise known as Rebbe Rashab). He was born on 20 Cheshvan.

In all, twenty people from the Jewish community of Donetsk visited Rostov-on-Don, where the Rebbe’s ohel – the so-called grave of the righteous – is located. Among the participants were members of the Synagogue’s minyan, students at the ‘Tiferet Zkenim’ Yeshiva, pupils at the Cheder, participants in the ‘STARS’ youth program, and others. The group represented a balanced mix of young and old Jews, including even small children together with their parents.

While in Rostov, the guests took the opportunity to visit the ‘Tomchei Tmimim’ Yeshiva, which was founded by Rebbe Rashab, bathe in the Mikvah built under his leadership, and pray at Rabbi Shalom-Dovber’s tomb.
As the enthusiasts traveled back to their home town of Donetsk, they held a seminar ‘on wheels’, during which they listened to stories about the Rebbe, sang songs, and shared their impressions about this exciting trip.

The Jewish community of Rostov-on-Don is a member of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia, while the Jewish community of Donetsk is a member of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine. Both are united under the umbrella of the Federation of Jewish Communities of the CIS and Baltic Countries.