Jewish Communities of the Euro-Asian Region Observe Passover

Ma Nishtana? What has changed this night? Quite a lot! There has never been such a Passover in the history of the Jewish people. Yet, despite the restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic, Jewish communities and organizations of the Euro-Asian region managed to conduct the Passover Seder and celebrate Passover with dignity. 

Jewish Community of Kazakhstan

A virtual Seder organized by the Jewish community of Kazakhstan on the online platform of the Rimon Jewish Community Center (Almaty) gathered more than 60 participants from Russia, Germany, Israel, Moldova, and, of course, Kazakhstan. 

The participants prepared all the essentials for conducting the Seder, and each table was adorned with a Passover Seder plate (ke’ara) – the centerpiece of the festive meal. Young community activists spoke on the significance of Passover in Jewish tradition, while adults shared the adventurous story of the holiday with the children.  

Prior to the holiday, the community assisted those wishing to recall Passover traditions and prepare for the Seder through virtual Shabbat gatherings. 

Throughout the subsequent days of the eight-day holiday, activists of the Kazakhstani Jewish community continued to discuss Passover traditions in classes and discussion forums of the Rimon JCC youth and family club. Meanwhile, volunteers introduced the holiday traditions to toddlers from the virtual development center operating at the Almaty communal kindergarten. 

Hillel Russia 

Hillel Russia launched a dedicated online program, "Passover at Home," which included digital materials for preparing the Seder and online consultations for designing a personalized scenario for the holiday.

Hillel Russia delivered 130 Passover kits to homes and released an online Haggadah, which was made available for download to everyone this year. 

Hillel community leaders conducted online Seders in Khabarovsk, Novosibirsk, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Saratov, Penza, and Yekaterinburg. 

Hillel Case

Within the framework of the regional TEDx conference "Shemot Online," Hillel CASE organized a three-hour Passover marathon. 15 speakers educated the participants on the history and traditions of the holiday, held educational quizzes, cultural lectures, and a masterclass on making homemade matzah, as well as provided recommendations for conducting home Seders. 

Under the Cooking Battle project, Hillel Minsk hosted an online culinary battle dedicated to Passover: two chefs prepared festive dishes while discussing the history and traditions of the holiday.

During a three-day online seminar, students from Minsk and Odessa participated in a quest dedicated to the history of Passover. Together, the youth traced the path from slavery to freedom, attempted to address their personal "Egypts," and discussed the value of Eretz Yisrael. 

Students from many municipal Hillel centers participated in volunteer initiatives for the contactless delivery of matzah and Passover kits.

Russian Union of Jewish Students (RUJS)

Activists of the Russian Union of Jewish Students, in cooperation with the Moscow Jewish Community House (MEOD) and with the support of the EAJC, conducted the "Joy of Passover" charity campaign, delivering Passover food packages to the beneficiaries of the "Sheket" program, which supports deaf and hard-of-hearing Jews, and the "Integration" social Jewish project for children with disabilities (Moscow).

During the online session "Let My People Go: What Kabbalah Says About Passover and Current Events," Rabbi Alex Artovsky spoke to Jewish students about the symbolism of Passover amidst the complex pandemic situation.

Jewish Community of Azerbaijan

Due to the strict quarantine regime, the Jewish communities of Azerbaijan paid special attention to every individual. On the eve of Passover, the community supported the lonely and the needy: young volunteers, equipped with all necessary personal protective equipment, delivered holiday packages containing food and matzah for the Seder. 

Community volunteers maintain regular contact with the elderly and isolated individuals to assist them with purchasing food or medicine. Special appreciation is extended to the Chief Rabbi of the Synagogue of European Jews, Shneor Segal, and the Vice-President of the EAJC, German Zakharyaev, who initiated and organized the community's activities during these challenging days.

Jewish Community of Albania

Geront Kureta, President of the Jewish Community of Albania, which numbers approximately 50 people, extended holiday greetings to all EAJC communities and assured us that all community members, who predominantly reside in Albania's capital, Tirana, are safe, healthy, and looking forward to the successful resolution of the pandemic. 

Jewish Community of Georgia

The Jewish community of Tbilisi mobilized its volunteers and staff to distribute Haggadot and matzah to vulnerable community members at high risk, leaving sealed packages at their doorsteps. An online Seder organized by the community brought together around 25 families. 

Jewish Community of Ukraine

The All-Ukrainian Jewish Congress and the EAJC made a joint decision to provide assistance to Jewish communities and organizations in Ukraine for hosting the Passover Seder. 

Despite the difficult situation imposition of strict regulations, community leaders, with the support of the EAJC, did everything possible to ensure a festive atmosphere in Jewish homes. The leadership of the EAJC appealed to the heads of Ukrainian Jewish communities and organizations to pay close attention to the elderly and veterans. 

Jewish Community of Moldova

Leaders of the Jewish community of Moldova welcomed everyone to an online Seder. Despite the challenges, community activists ensured that matzah was present on all festive tables, and elderly and socially vulnerable community members also received food supplies. 

A hotline has been launched, and efforts are being coordinated across all Jewish organizations. "During these days, we provide assistance to everyone in need, and we will continue to do so despite the difficult circumstances," stated the Chairman of the Community and Vice-President of the EAJC, Alexandr Bilinkis. The Jewish community of Moldova is providing personal protective equipment and food to community members at high risk.

Jewish Community of Armenia

At the final moment, the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress succeeded in delivering 300 kg of matzah to the Jewish community of Armenia. Rimma Varzhapetyan, President of the Jewish Community of Armenia, expressed her deep gratitude and holiday wishes: "We wish that the light of hope never fades! From the bottom of our hearts, we wish peace, happiness, love, prosperity, harmony, and joy. May we all safely emerge from the confinement of isolation and quarantine. Chag Sameach!"

Jewish Community of Croatia

In these troubling times, we would like to extend our special greetings to the "Beit Israel" Jewish community of Croatia, whose building suffered damage during the recent powerful earthquake. For the holiday, the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress dispatched emergency financial assistance to repair the building. Chag Sameach!

Dear friends, please stay home and take care of yourselves and your loved ones. Wishing you health, success, and a swift end to these challenging times.