Celebrating a "Day of Jewish Culture" in Russia

In the city of Voronezh, in the Volga region of Russia, every Sunday is dedicated to a different nationality. There is the "Day of Korean Culture", the "Day of Middle-Asian Culture", the "Day of Ukrainian Culture" and the "Day of Jewish Culture".

This year each Jewish organization in the city: the Jewish Community Center (JCC), the JDC-sponsored Hesed, JAFI, and the Israeli Cultural Center, took part in the festivities for the "Day of Jewish Culture". Each held presentations and there was an exhibition of books about the history and traditions of the Jewish people. Volunteers of the Hesed cooked various national dishes, which everyone enjoyed tasting.

A musical group from the JCC performed old beloved songs as well as new songs and dances and a performance by Voronezh rabbi, Nosson Vershubski, was a warm surprise for the audience: after a welcoming speech he sang an old Jewish lullaby accompanied by young musicians playing the guitar and flute.

There was also a recital by the dance company "Atikva", who performed "Jewish potpourri" with a children's dance group. Two new compositions were prepared and performed by the vocal group "Shir la Ahava" and then the concert was concluded with the whole audience singing "Yom ba Yom". This "Day of Jewish culture" was covered extensively in the local press and media.

Government representatives of the city, the oblast (regional) administration and also the representatives of other cities came to congratulate the Jewish community on the successful day.