New Chabad House Inaugurated in Science City of the Russian Capital
In an emotional and uplifting ceremony, the opening of the Chabad House in “Zelenograd” was held on Sunday – the fifth candle of Chanukah. One of the twelve administrative districts of the capital Moscow, Zelenograd is known as the City of Sciences. With its expansion to include five large districts, the request came from local Jews who longed for their own Jewish community, close to the city of Zelenograd.
Indeed, the community management complied with the request and, at the behest of the Chief Rabbi of Russia, Rabbi Berel Lazar Shlita, the young Kleinberg family went out there a few months ago. Both Rabbi and Mrs. Kleinberg grew up and were educated on Shlichus in Moscow, and as a continuation of the beautiful example they saw at home with their parents, they understood that their life’s purpose was to serve as Shluchim wherever they were sent.
After their initial settling in the city, and with the help of local supporters, a suitable place was found, which would serve for regular prayers, holiday meals, Torah classes, and especially activities with the congregation and the local youth – the next generation.
In preparation for Chanukah, many efforts were made to complete the renovations of the place so that it fits the needs of the community. And finally, the special day that the Jewish residents of the area had been waiting for arrived on the “fifth candle of Chanuka,” which symbolizes the advantage of light over darkness. With great joy and excitement, many came and gathered for the occasion of the grand opening of the place.
The Chief Rabbi of Russia, Rabbi Berel Lazar Shlita, was honored with affixing the mezuzah at the main entrance. In his words of blessing to the guests, he recalled his memories from about forty years ago, when he met a student at the Marina Roshcha Yeshiva named Baruch Kleinberg. Today, not only does he himself run a large Chabad house in Moscow together with his wife, but now his son is also following in his footsteps. Together with his wife – who is the daughter of Rabbi Mordechai Weisberg, Director of Moscow’s Jewish Communities, they searched for and found a place for Shlichus, overcoming many challenges, in order to receive the privilege of being included in the global army of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s emissaries, especially in the country of Russia.
After the lighting of candles by the new rabbi, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Kleinberg, words of blessing were delivered by the local residents, the parents of the emissaries, Rabbi Weissberg and Rabbi Kleinberg, and to the sound of Hasidic music, the congregation dispersed to their homes, joyfully and with the certainty that now their Judaism would be expressed strongly and proudly in the city of Zelenograd.
Photography: Levi Nazarov
