Sixteen Years of Chesed Celebrated in Moscow

It’s no secret that the capital of Russia has turned into an empire of Torah, Chassidus, Chinuch and Kashrus. Yiddishkeit and community life is flourishing for the hundreds and thousands of Jews living in Moscow and its surrounding cities, thanks to the dozens of institutions that have been founded by Chief Rabbi of Russia, Rabbi Berl Lazar.

The large range of organizations, geared to all age groups and backgrounds of Jews, includes of course, various forms of Chesed and aid to the many people who need it. Each with their individual story.

This year, for the sixteenth time, philanthropists and sponsors, supporters and friends have gathered together for an evening of celebration. But it was not just a celebration. It was an evening with a goal and a drive to expand this tremendous Chesed empire in Moscow, and to keep on growing.

It was on Motzei Shabbos Parshas Ki Tisa – Para, in the elegant and famous Metropol Venue, which stands not far from the Kremlin walls. The beautiful, 113 year old banquet hall has seen many impressive events, but an event of such unity and for such a worthy cause is a first.

“Sixteenth Annual Melava Malka of the Central Gmach in the CIS – Keren Chaya Mushka”. It was under this banner that the guests gathered to mark the 20^th yohrtzeit of dear Shlucha Chaya Mushka Lazar o.b.m., the eldest daughter of yblcht”v Chief Rabbi of Russia, and founder of the Gmach, Rabbi Berl Lazar. As keynote speaker he spoke eloquently about the great mitzva of tzedaka, and its importance in Jewish community life. With great talent he wove stories of tzadikim and words of our sages into a beautiful tapestry expressing how chessed is the greatest form of tzedaka.

More heartfelt speeches were given by supporters of the fund: The Tzaddik from Leningrad Rabbi Yitzchok Kogan, Philanthropist Reb Levi Leviev, Philanthropist Reb David Aminoff, Hall owner Mr. Klachin, Israeli ambassador to Russia Mr. Gary Koren and Chairman of the Joint Distribution Committee Mr. Alec Nadan.

The speeches were interspersed with songs by wunderkind Ari Reich, and accompanied by Reb Yaakov Rubin on the keyboard, both of whom came especially from Israel to perform at this event. They included special rhymes in Yiddish and Russian to the guests delight.

One of the evening’s highlights was when a young Jewish boy named Moishik got up on stage and told the story of his friend who had a stroke and was saved thanks to the emergency aid that his family received from Keren Chaya Mushka. The gmach stepped in with both financial aid, as well as airlifting the child to a hospital in Israel where his life was saved.

“In the name of those children whose lives were saved, and in the name of all those families who were helped, and for the thousands who were taken care of by the Chesed organizations in this city, I say but one word: Thank You!” said Moishik, and there was not a dry eye in the hall.

Gifts of appreciation were awarded to the donors for their important support of this crucial organization in Moscow.