Russian City Gets Giant Candles

Jewish residents of Russia’s Far-Eastern city Birobidjan gathered for a unique ceremony just before Shabbat to dedicate two giant electric candles in memory of Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg, the murdered directors of the Chabad-Lubavitch center in Mumbai, India.

The city’s mayor and other local dignitaries joined Chief Rabbi Mordechai Sheiner in unveiling the candles, which will shine every Friday night and holiday eve. After the dedication, a group of women lit their own Shabbat candles to usher in the holy day. …