MOSCOW, Russia –- It has become an annual tradition for Moscow Jews to gather for Rosh Hashanah at the 'Beit Menachem' Synagogue, located in the Jewish Community Center in Marina Roscha. This year, however, attendance may have surpassed previous years, with well over 1,000 persons attending the first prayer of the year 5768.
Russia’s Capital Rings in the Jewish New Year
MOSCOW, Russia –- It has become an annual tradition for Moscow Jews to gather for Rosh Hashanah at the ‘Beit Menachem’ Synagogue, located in the Jewish Community Center in Marina Roscha. This year, however, attendance may have surpassed previous years, with well over 1,000 persons attending the first prayer of the year 5768.
Just prior to the New Year, participants enjoyed a performance of Rosh Hashanah prayers and traditional Jewish songs by the ‘Chassidic Capella’ Choir, led by Alexander Tsalyuk, who took this opportunity to congratulate everyone. Rabbi Boruch Gorin congratulated attendees and then read out numerous congratulatory messages, including those from Russian President Vladimir Putin, Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov.
Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar also participated in the event, congratulating the crowd and spoke about the most significant moments in the Jewish New Year celebration and the reason why the most important commandment of Rosh Hashanah is the sounding of the Shofar.
The holiday prayers were sung by Rabbi Shneor Zalman Boimgarten, a renowned cantor from New York who has brought joy to visitors of the ‘Beit Menachem’ Synagogue on numerous previous occasions. Participants were all presented a memorable gift for Rosh Hashanah, adding even greater delight to the wonderful mood throughout the Synagogue.
