The Sefer Center conducted an academic expedition in Jewish ethnography in Rybnitsa

From June 24 to July 1, 2018, the Sefer Center conducted its latest folklore and ethnographic expedition, this time in the Transnistrian town of Rybnitsa. The project was supported by the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, of which Sefer is a member, alongside other sponsors.

This marked the second expedition to Transnistria. The first took place last year, primarily in Bender and Tiraspol, with a brief two-day visit to Rybnitsa. The success of this year's expedition exceeded all expectations. Between 2004 and 2008, expeditions organized by the Sefer Center had already been active in the Transnistrian areas of Podolia. Since Rybnitsa and its surroundings are historically part of the Podolia region, researchers were able to resume the work that had been suspended 10 years ago.

A defining characteristic of Rybnitsa is that Rabbi Chaim Zanvl Abramowitz, the last Hasidic Tzaddik of Eastern Europe, resided there until 1973. Many members of the older generation in Rybnitsa had personally met and interacted with the Rabbi. Nearly all residents of the town, both Jewish and non-Jewish, are familiar with various legends surrounding his life.

Despite its small size (13 participants) and short duration (one week), the expedition thoroughly investigated this unique, living Jewish hagiographic tradition, recording over 50 interviews. Some informants recounted the deeds and life of the Rybnitser Rebbe not only in Russian, but also in Yiddish. The expedition collected extensive contemporary religious and para-religious folklore, analyzed the interplay between oral tradition and media, and documented how the figure of the Rebbe is represented across various social and ethnic groups.

Dr. Haim Ben Yakov, Director General of the EAJC: "Ethnographic expeditions, alongside the collection of Jewish folklore and testimonies from residents of regions that once served as major centers of Jewish thought and spirituality,
constitute a traditionally vital area of EAJC's activities. Very little time remains to gather these invaluable materials and prevent their permanent loss."