Every other week, dozens of young professionals meet in a Jewish community center to discuss everything from dating and love to Shabbat and kosher dietary laws. The participants of the spiritually-tinged back-and-forth in Moscow’s Marina Roscha neighborhood consider it a miracle they’ve found each other.
Elizaveta Satanovsky, one of the attendees of the “Meeting Place” run by Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Alexander Lakshin, laughs when she describes how hard it is to meet other Jews in a city where one’s religion isn’t exactly worn on the sleeve.
“It’s rather difficult,” says the 30-year-old bank manager, “to find common culture.”
Since time immemorial, the common gathering place for any Jewish community has been its synagogue, but according to freelance photographer Dmitry Mazur, members of his generation – who either grew up during the Communist oppressions or were raised by those who did – are hesitant to walk into one for fear of appearing ignorant.
“If they don’t know much about Jewish traditions, they’re afraid they’ll do or say something wrong,” explains the 29-year-old. “But this program provides a good opportunity to gain Jewish knowledge without having to be afraid. After these meetings, many feel they can go to synagogue and feel comfortable there.”
Lakshin, who works in the central office of the Federation of Jewish Communities of the Former Soviet Union and directs the MAGEN Anti-Missionary League, has been hosting the meetings in the Shaarei Tzedek social welfare center since last March. He says each session is built around what the group of 20 to 45-year-olds wants to discuss on that particular day. Sometimes, they talk about the importance of charity in the Jewish tradition, whereas other times, they dissect Westernized notions of romance and love in contrast to traditional dating norms.
Arkady Aronov, a social networker, consults an online Jewish discussion group he created to suggest topics to focus on.
“Our goal is to provide ground for free discussion,” says Lakshin. “Nobody’s shy or afraid to ask questions, or to express their opinions.”
Searching for Answers
Satanovsky says she comes as much to explore her heritage as to make friends.
“Many people come from many different social groups and different ages,” she explains. “I think some want information on Jewish topics, some are looking for a husband or wife and some just want to communicate with other Jewish people.
“For me, I never heard about Torah before,” she continues. “But Lakshin was able to explain to me what Passover means, what to do at the Seder and why.”
Some of the meetings feature guest speakers. Russian Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar was a featured presenter at one recent gathering, challenging attendees with a free-spirited round of stump-the-rabbi.
“Let’s put this to a test,” he told them. “You can ask me questions, and I’ll show you where the answers can be found in the Torah. And If I do not know the answer, it’s not because there is no answer, but because my knowledge is limited.”
According to participants, the questions ranged from how one could succeed in business and still find the time to study Torah to how to properly observe the Jewish festivals.
Satanovsky says such exercises help her make decisions about how she approaches her faith.
“I have to know about it,” she states, “to have the knowledge.”
Join the Discussion