Moscow Jewish Community Embraces Israel at 60 Celebrations

Moscow’s 18th century Ostankino Park transformed into a modern-day sea of blue and white flags flapping in the breeze as over 7,000 people gathered on the historic grounds to honor Israel's 60th anniversary. The largest community-wide Jewish gathering in Moscow in recent memory, "Park Israel" exceeded the expectations of its organizers and attendees—a diverse representation of Russian Jews of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds.

"Here was place for me, my parents and grandparents, and even my younger teenage sister," observed Alona, a 25-year-old participant in the festivities. "I had a feeling that all of the Jewish community gathered here!" she said.

The organizers from the JDC-founded Jewish cultural center Nikitskaya had anticipated around half the number of participants. But hours before the festivities even began, guests lined up to purchase tickets. The crowds seemed to grow by the hour, filling the park grounds and the souls of those who watched in amazement.

To kick things off, on behalf of the Moscow government, Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov welcomed Park Israel’s participants, congratulating them on Israel’s independence anniversary and wishing health, happiness, and peace for them and for the State of Israel. Luzhov also referenced the positive relations between Israel and Russia, emphasizing the current and widening political dialogue, economic relations, and cultural contacts, which include the large number of FSU citizens living in Israel.

Following additional speeches by event partners and local officials, as well as a presentation on the history and achievements of the State of Israel, hundreds of Muscovites charged the main stage to take part in Israeli dancing and singing.

Performances by headliners from both the Israeli and Russian music scene, including Shiri Maimon, Maya Buskila, B2, the Turetskovo choir, and Hakol Over Habibi inspired the crowd. A group rendition of HaTikva, an open profession of the Moscow Jewish community’s support for the State of Israel, closed the concert and helped realize the fact that a country that once represented salvation for Soviet Jews emerging from Communist suppression is today more like a second home, where many have relatives and close connections.

Away from the main stage, Nikitskaya family programs and graduates of this year's Madrichim School, a JDC-supported training program for Russia’s emerging young Jewish leaders, operated myriad activities including a children's play area with blow-up castles and animals.

The grand-scale celebration—the first of its kind for JDC in Moscow—was a true testament to the unprecedented level of collaboration among the city’s Jewish organizations. To make the event happen, JDC and the Nikitskaya JCC joined forces with the World Congress of Russian Jewry as well as FEOR, World ORT, and Hillel Russia. Additional donations from generous local donors and businesses rounded out the event’s funding.

The result was an event like nothing Moscow’s Jewish community had seen. In a city like Moscow, where cultural attractions abound, unaffiliated Jews who had never before attended a community event seemed to emerge from the woodwork for this grassroots Israeli Independence Day celebration. Over 2,000 attendees completed forms with their full details to request information about other activities at the Nikitskaya JCC—a notable achievement in light of a general reluctance by Russian Jews to "register" or affiliate themselves with the community because of the region’s Communist and anti-Semitic history.

"This celebration was very different from all those I had previously visited. Here I saw how different the Moscow Jewish community is. Here were very wealthy people AND clients of the Hesed welfare centers. I saw that in spite of all our differences, we have our Jewish roots which unite us," said Kostya, a 30-year-old Park Israel attendee.

Indeed, as the State of Israel’s achievements over the past 60 years were honored, Moscow’s May 18th mega event marked a brilliant accomplishment for Moscow’s unique Jewish community and its progress in just under two decades.

"The event symbolizes how the Moscow Jewish community has matured as a community that can stand on its own two feet and be part of the world Jewish community," said Steve Schwager, JDC’s Chief Executive Officer, from the packed grounds of Park Israel.

May 2008