New Jewish Community Center is Russia’s Largest

Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, right, speaks at the dedication ceremony as Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar looks on.

(FJC.ru) What is widely believed to the be the largest Jewish charitable organization in Russia celebrated its grand opening this week.

Shaarei Tsedek, a $13 million institution located in the Moscow's Marina Roscha neighborhood and operated by the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia, will serve more than 1,500 hot meals to senior citizens and deliver another 1,000 in refrigerated trucks to clients' homes. In addition, the center houses a fully-equipped day clinic with a staff of 30 doctors and the ability to treat more than 7,000 patients every month. A full range of elderly activities are also on the organization's roster.

Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Berel Lazar, chief rabbi of Russia, followed FJC public relations chief Boruch Gorin to the podium. Both thanked the project's sponsors and staff, and singled out Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, who directed the city to allocate the building's plot of land to the Jewish community.

"The beauty of this building is not only in its walls, but in the activities that are to be carried out here," Luzhkov told the crowd when it was his turn to speak. He went on to underline the importance of the Jewish community in achieving inter-religious and inter-ethnic accord in Russia.

Lazar and Luzhkov led the ceremonial ribbon-cutting. They were joined by Mikhail Bezelyanskiy, the chief sponsor of the center's medical component, and singer Iosef Kobzon, chairman of the FJC's public council. Kobzon presented the mayor and the philanthropist with an architectural plan for the center.

Afterwards, attendees toured the building and enjoyed a festive buffet.