FJC Russia expands cooperation with the Russian army to assist Jewish Soldiers

Moscow, Russia -– A meeting took place between the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia and the company VMK (War Memorial Company) to widen their cooperation. While established in 1997 at the initiative of the Russian Ministry of Defense, VMK now is comprised of 300 branches in 76 regions of Russia.

Rabbi Aaron Gurevich, the Head of the FJC’s recently-created armed services Department, expressed that one of the goals of this meeting was to sign an agreement to ensure that a necessary minimum of Halacha was met in regards to the burial of Jewish soldiers in those places that do not have a resident rabbi. For instance, cremation will not be considered as an option to a ground burial. To ensure that these standards are respected, the FJC has prepared a special methodological handbook for military officials.

FJC Russia Chairman Alexander Boroda and VMK Director Andrei Marsiy signed the cooperation agreement. On this occasion, it was also announced that VMK will work with the FJC Russia to develop a gravestone that would be appropriate for Jews serving in the military and that the two organizations will try to resolve the rather serious problem that concerns many poor Jews across the country – the lack of Jewish cemeteries, lack of space in existing cemeteries and the consequently high cost associated with Jewish burials.