History
Historically, Maryina Roshcha was a Jewish district of Moscow. At the site of the current center in the 2nd Vysheslavtsev Lane, there was a log synagogue built in 1926. During the years of Perestroika, the first yeshiva in the USSR was opened there, and a Jewish community operated. [3] In 1993, the synagogue building burned down in a fire. [4] At that time, in the first half of the 1990s, a decision was made to build a Jewish community center, including a synagogue. Construction began in 1996 with the assistance of the president of the Jewish Culture Development Fund Alexander Boroda. In the same year, a temporary synagogue building was opened in the 2nd Vysheslavtsev Lane, but it soon suffered from a series of explosions carried out by unknown persons. [5] Subsequently, it became the center of the community of Bukharan Jews. [1]
The author of the community center building project was the Israeli architect Israel Gudovich, with major sponsors being Vladimir Gusinsky, Roman Abramovich, Lev Leviev. The grand opening ceremony took place on September 18 2000 with the participation of the President of Russia Vladimir Putin, the Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar, the first deputy prime minister of the Moscow government Vladimir Resin, the ambassador of the United States to Russia James F. Collins, the ambassador of Israel Natan Meron, the chief Sephardic rabbi of Israel Mordechai Eliyahu. Among the show business stars at the ceremony were Iosif Kobzon, Philipp Kirkorov, Mikhail Shufutinsky, Natalia Daryalova. [6]
The total area of all premises of the Moscow Jewish Community Center is 7200 m². On its territory are office and educational premises, studios, a synagogue for 2000 seats, a ritual pool — mikveh, a fitness center, an internet center, a kosher restaurant “Shtetl”, a dairy cafe “Milk and Honey”, [7] a library and a concert hall. [8]
Activities
Based on the Jewish center and the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia, social projects and clubs for different population categories operate. For businessmen and enterprise managers, scientists and civil servants of Jewish origin, the business club Solomon is open. [9] At the center, children’s and youth clubs operate, courses in English, French, German, Spanish languages, Hebrew and Yiddish, [10] painting, vocal, dance, playing the guitar. There is also a driving school, computer courses, [11] sports [12] and charitable programs. [13]
The Moscow Jewish Community Center supports the work of Jewish clubs at Moscow State University, Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Higher School of Economics, [14] conducts meetings with politicians, [9] religious leaders, scientists, [15] artists, [16] lectures, [17] concerts, [18] exhibitions, [19] film screenings. [20]
The center organizes Jewish holidays in Moscow, [21] Moscow Oblast [22] and Russian regions. [23]
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