OMSK, Russia –- Omsk celebrated the grand opening of the Ohr Avner Chabad Day School and 'Chaya Mushka' Kindergarten. After a five-year effort, Chief Rabbi Osher Krichevsky and his wife can finally see the fruits of their labor. Located in a newly-constructed building – perhaps the best to ever host a local school – this institution will offer education from kindergarten through to the secondary school level. It is the first school to offer an ethno-cultural component as part of its educational program.
Omsk Celebrates dedication and opening of New Ohr Avner Chabad School
OMSK, Russia –- Omsk celebrated the grand opening of the Ohr Avner Chabad Day School and ‘Chaya Mushka’ Kindergarten. After a five-year effort, Chief Rabbi Osher Krichevsky and his wife can finally see the fruits of their labor. Located in a newly-constructed building – perhaps the best to ever host a local school – this institution will offer education from kindergarten through to the secondary school level. It is the first school to offer an ethno-cultural component as part of its educational program.
The ceremony involved Rabbi Krichevsky and family, community leaders, the Chairman of the school’s Executive Council G. Fridman, and the Education Minister for Omsk Oblast, A.M. Solomatin. News about the event also reached a wider audience, since it was well covered by journalists from local TV channels. One of the highlights involved the presentation of the school’s license, giving it the right to be called a lyceum and to carry out educational activities.
Since the beginning of the school year coincided with the month preceding Rosh Hashana, everyone present experienced the sounding of the Shofar. After cutting the ribbon and a tour, a buffet and theatrical performance took place. Rabbi Krichevsky then affixed a Mezuzah to the doorpost of the building’s entrance, met by loud applause. “Now that it’s possible to study our customs and language, to read and understand our Torah, our people can uphold our traditions,” stated 92-year old S. Kilmanovich, the community’s oldest member.
The Jewish community of Omsk is grateful to Governor of Omsk Oblast, L.K. Polezhaev, for the steadfast support he has provided throughout this major undertaking. and to Lev Leviev and the Ohr Avner Foundation for the founding and major support of the school.
