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Historical Wedding in Smolensk Russia

SMOKENSK, Russia [CHI] — For the first time in 80 years, Smolensk, Russia witnessed a kosher Jewish wedding. Rabbi Levi Mondshine, Shliach and chief Rabbi of the Smolensk Region officiated at the wedding of two jewish couples who are members of the Smolensk Jewish community. Despite the cold and snowy weather, the couples decided that they would like to have the chuppas under the nightsky. A close knit group of family and friends gathered to participate in the historical occasion. Rabbi Avraham Lifshitz, a shlich in the area of Pushkina, Moscow, traveled to Smolensk especially to be one of the witnesses.

More pictures in the Extended Article!

Following the chuppas, the guests continued the celebration with an elegant seudas mitzvah, punctuated with much lively singing and dancing. The “junior shliach” Menachem Mendel Mondshine played various chassidishe nigunim on his violin, while the guests sang along.

The historical wedding encouraged other jewish couples to consider having a chuppah.

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8 Comments

  • aunt

    Menachem Mendel Sheyichye

    vee are so heppy that you played the violin and made every body “C”heppy! You are a real junior shaliach who always helps his father when needed! In another few years you will be part of the minyan.

    Lots of nachas and much hatlacha to you, Levi and Chanie
    mishpachas s. ny

  • YOur Fans

    To the increadible Mondshine family,
    Your a beacon of light & warmth to the snow and kaltkeirt in Russia. Nice to see the Jr Shluchim hard at work.
    Were so proud of you,
    Your Fans

  • Kassi now Heidi

    Chanie! What a beautiful simcha… So nice to hear some varem news! Love the pictur with your son (?) in the middle.
    Yasher Koach!
    Love, DL

  • family member

    It is her son! It was a double wedding, with two couples getting married at the same time (see last picture)

  • Mondshine fan!

    Bar mitzva hall/siyum sifrei torah/play chasunas/real chasunas, sedarim and seudas mitzvah… may your home be the location of many more simchos! Chani’s Catering is the way to go!

  • IMPRESSED!

    as being a shliach as well i feel strongly to having chabad in russia and also to witness a wedding!
    WOW! CONGRADULATIONS AND MAZEL TOV:)