The fourth Congress of the Federation of Jewish Communities of the Former Soviet Union opened this week with a film at the Moscow Jewish Community Center showcasing the history and achievements of the decade-old umbrella group for Russian-speaking Jewry.

Some 180 rabbis and community members arrived from all over Russia and its former republics for the two-day conference, which Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar likened to a turning point for a family of Jewish communities that have experienced rapid growth in a relatively short period of time.

In his address, Lazar – a Chabad-Lubavitch emissary who serves as chairman of the FJC's rabbinical alliance – explained that just as a child traditionally moves on to the study of the Mishnah at age 10, the federation's 10th anniversary marked a transition: It is time, he said, for leaders to think about the Jewish community's next step.

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Russian-speaking Jews used to be fearful of public displays of religion, he pointed out, but today public Chanukah menorah lighting ceremonies in major cities throughout the former Soviet Union are commonplace.

"A lot of Jews feared publicity," he intoned. " 'Let us assemble at home,' they said. 'Why should we light Chanukah menorahs in public squares?'

" 'We do not need to say that we are Jews out loud,' they thought. These people sat in fear."

In 2008, however, the FJC represents some 200 united Jewish communities, he exclaimed. It has opened a network of schools, synagogues, newspapers and magazines.

The old way of thinking, said Lazar, is obsolete.

"Today, to be a Jew in Russia is to not be afraid or ashamed," he said. "Had we sat quietly, all of this would not have been."

Focusing on Education

Billionaire philanthropist Lev Leviev, president of the Federation of Jewish Communities of the Former Soviet Union, addresses the organization’s recent conference.
Billionaire philanthropist Lev Leviev, president of the Federation of Jewish Communities of the Former Soviet Union, addresses the organization’s recent conference.
Turning to the future, the chief rabbi charted a course for the organization that strengthened its focus on Jewish education. He called for the distribution of books that went beyond a general knowledge of Judaism and the establishment of courses for children and adults in Talmud, Jewish law and Chasidic thought.

"We need to use all our capabilities in order to make sure that every Jewish child is able to acquire knowledge of Jewish history, tradition and our great culture," he said. "In the past 10 years, children simply studied Torah. Over the next 10 years, it is time to find out why the Torah says what it says.

"The challenge now is for the children and for the adults," continued Lazar. "It is time to move from quantity to quality."

In his remarks, the chief rabbi singled out philanthropists Roman Abramovich and Lev Leviev, the diamond magnate who serves as the FJC's president, for their time, dedication and financial backing.

Leviev used his turn at the dais to expand on Lazar's message of building on prior achievements. He used a parable of a father and son at work in the fields: In the middle of the day, the son turned to the father and said, "Look how much we have left to do." The father replied, "Look and see how much we have done."

Both views have merit, said Leviev. The trick is to keep moving.

"We must not give up before we are done," he explained. But, "we should bear in mind how much has been done."

Boris Spiegel, president of the World Congress of Russian Jewry, and FJC chairman Alexander Boroda, also addressed the conference. Organizers also delivered greetings from outgoing Russian President Vladimir Putin and other government officials.