RJC and MRJC celebrated Purim
On 28 February Russian Jewish Congress (RJC) and Moscow Religious Jewish Community held a celebration on Purim, the most joyful Jewish holiday, at one of Moscow restaurants. The meeting included nearly 200 visitors.
The joy of the celebration united J. Kobzon, A. Zhurbin, L. Novozhenov, M. Chlenov, J. Soskin, A. Gaidamak and other famous representatives of the Jewish community. The meeting started with the greeting of Chief Rabbi of Russia A. Shaevich and president of the Russian Jewish Congress Y. Kanner. In warm expressions they spoke of the importance of the holiday to the guests and set the atmosphere of celebration.
The managers of the event found original way to read the traditional Scroll of Ester inviting “Theatre of Sand”. Large screens demonstrated laconical and expressive sand drawings that told the story of the courageous queen. Chief Rabbi of Moscow Pinhas Goldschmidt read extracts from the Scroll of Magelat Ester in Hebrew.
In their turn the guests prepared for the celebration. There was plenty of carnival outfits, masks, serpentine, confetti, rattles and other features of joyful Purim. The most intriguing moments included feisty dance performed by business elites.
The evening featured performance by Russian-Israeli klezmer group “Naehovichi” and art-project “Estrade studio” headed by A. Moskalev. Many guests took their children to the celebration. Special program for children included joyful clowns who painted kids noses and cheeks, funny games and group dances. Delightful laughter of children also made great contribution to the evening.
The guests not only could have fun but also participate in charity auction. Wife of rabbi Goldschmidt Dara provided six paintings for this public sale. The artist prefers landscape painting and fills her works with bright expressions. All artworks were sold. The raised funds will support the need of the Moscow Jewish Orphanage. The buyers included president of RJC Y. Kanner and head of MRJC J. Soskin.
Organization of such massive events is troublesome business. It takes many activities, nerves and consultations. But the celebration satisfies it all being a great opportunity to get together. Many guests remembered basement parties that took place “on the hill” – the unofficial name of the place near Grand Choral Synagogue. This could be the reason for losing job or studentship, or participants could be taken to nearest police station, or could get any other troubles that Soviet government would set up. But Jews gathered to these parties despite the knowledge of possible consequences.
Now upon twenty years passed the former courageous students are respectable and prosperous people. Struggling with police officers near Choral synagogue became history. But the wish to celebrate together never leaves, so Purim turned to be really delightful!
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