Russian Jewish TV Show Marks 100th Episode

Birobidjan, Russia — In the Jewish Autonomous region, the state TV channel ‘Bira’ has just run its 100th edition of the show ‘Yiddishkeit’. This program took to the air two years ago at the initiative of the Council for the ‘Freud’ Jewish community of Birobidjan. Since its inception, it has become an indivisible part of the spiritual, religious and cultural life of its TV audience.

‘Yiddishkeit’ grew to be quite a popular series once the region’s Chief Rabbi, Mordechai Shainer, and his wife Ester became the hosts of this show. Rabbi Shainer who also serves as a Chabad Lubavitch representative to the region, leads the parts on Friday prayers, commentaries on the weekly Torah reading, as well as teaching about various traditions, ceremonies, and holidays. Ester Shainer leads the part on kosher cuisine and other useful information for Jewish women.

“I am confident that our interaction with the public helps to bring Jewish viewers closer to their Jewish roots and aids in creating friendship with people of other faiths,” expressed Rabbi Shainer. “If even one Jew understands his religion and national uniqueness better through this show, that means that ‘Yiddishkeit’ has served its mission.”