S Petersburg Jewish Community Aids the Homeless

S PETERSBURG, Russia — In honor of the ‘Day of the Homeless’, the Jewish community of S. Petersburg has carried out an initiative jointly with one other non-governmental organization ‘New Social Resolution’. Very active locally in working with the homeless, this non-commercial organization also publishes a journal entitled “The Way Home”. On this occasion, the two forces joined efforts in a project aimed at distributing fruit among the homeless of Russia’s northern capital.

Using funds collected amongst its own members, the Jewish community of S. Petersburg purchased dozens of kilograms of various fruit, which was handed out at several points including the ‘Baltic’ Train Station – a common gathering place for transient and local displaced persons. Beginning in the early morning, the fruit was handed out by volunteers working with the ‘New Social Resolution’ organization, who have day-to-day contact with homeless persons and are known amongst them.

Apart from this charitable undertaking, the Jewish community held prayer sessions at the Great Choral Synagogue for the well-being of S. Petersburg’s homeless, reading the 20th Psalm, which is read for those who are in dangerous situations or need assistance. Prayers were also read in memory of those homeless persons who have perished.

The Jewish community of S. Petersburg is a foremost member of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia. The Community aid service was organized by S. Petersburg Chief Rabbi Menachem Mendel Pevzner.