Shliach Defends Wi-Fi for Shul

S PETERSBURG, Russia [FJC] — A new technological development has reached past the walls of a unique S. Petersburg landmark – the Great Choral Synagogue. Namely, now anybody coming to visit the Choral Synagogue will be able to take advantage of free access to the Internet via their mobile device. This opportunity was made possible through a gift presented to the Synagogue by the telecommunications company PIN-Telecom.

“We want to make people receptive to the Synagogue, not only as a building intended for worship, but also as a place where you can feel at home and have a good time,” remarked Moshe Treskunov, the Head of the Information Department for the Synagogue. “Now, it will be possible for everyone coming here for a holiday or a lesson to check their email during the breaks or afterwards”.

The presence of high technology equipment in Synagogues often raises issues among those who tend to see the Internet as evil. However, Chief Rabbi of S. Petersburg Menachem Mendel Pewzner has offered his comments on this issue: “From the perspective of Jewish tradition, it is most important to look not only at something, but at the purpose for which it is used. The S. Petersburg Synagogue actively uses the Internet. We post materials on Judaism and use the web portal Vkontakte.ru (the Russian analog of Facebook) in order to invite people to participate in the Jewish holidays and to find volunteers to help the elderly.”

The Jewish community of S. Petersburg, headed by Rabbi Mendel Menachem Pewzner and Chairman Mark Grubarg, is a trailblazing leader among members of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia.