More than 300 young Jewish adults gathered this past Sunday in Chisinau (formerly known by its Russian name of Kishinev), the capital of Moldova, for the Limmud FSU Moldova festival. The multi-day event took place at JCC KEDEM. The packed event, which is geared towards Russian-speaking Jews, featured an array of world-class programs and international speakers, with more than 60 lectures, activities, master classes, performances and many more.

The event also included a special inauguration ceremony of a new synagogue in JCC KEDEM Sunday evening. The original “Wooden” Synagogue” was established in 1835 and nationalized in 1940.

At the opening ceremony, the Speaker of the Moldova Parliament told the participants: “Our task is to preserve and amplify this tradition. It is difficult to correct what happened during the most terrible tragedy of the twentieth century – the Holocaust. However, at present new cultural centers are being built, synagogues restored. The fact that the historical building of the “Woodcutters” synagogue is returning is an eloquent demonstration that the new generation is ready to revive the glory of the ancestors, the glory of the Jewish Moldovan community.”

Limmud FSU founder Chaim Chesler added, “Our annual events in Moldova have become an integral part of the rich communal life of the Moldovan Jewry. The passionate commitment of the volunteers, the amazing attendance of the participants we see here today, and the high level of the program are the definite proof of the flourish of the Jewish community in this country.”

Limmud FSU Moldova was sponsored by the Jewish Community of Moldova, Genesis Philanthropy Group (GPG), The Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC), Claims Conference, Nativ and Joel Passick.

The event was made possible by a team of local leaders and volunteers, led by Limmud FSU Executive Director Roman Kogan and Project Manager Galina Rybnikova.

Photos courtesy Ruslan Krechun and Shendy Copitman