Jews are marking Passover tonight. Passover is an 8-day holiday marking the liberation from 400 years of slavery in Egypt and the birth of the Jewish nation. The holiday coincides with Shabbat. The Moscow Jewish Community Center will hold Easter feasts on April 3. One of them will be held under the supervision of Chief Rabbi Berl Lazar. Thousands of people will attend the feasts.
Over 50,000 people in over 180 cities are expected to visit Passover Seders organized by the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia all over the country. Over 175,000kg of matzo have been baked.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Jews on the holiday, noted the importance of the Jewish community in Russia. The president reminded about formation of new religious and education centers, charity, education, opening of museums and exhibitions, expansion of interregional and interethnic contacts. Putin emphasized their significance for interethnic peace and consent, tolerance and mutual understanding.
Alexander Boroda, the president of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia, said that the deep meaning of Passover was associated with the Torah, commandments that united Jews in the common idea of serving the God. In his words, God saved the Jews from slavery for their service. Boroda wished everyone to make a Passover in their heart and feel the taste of true freedom. He added that all people should recall the inner gist of Passover, the obstacles on the path of spiritual growth - be it laziness or bad habits - and try to rectify them.
The Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia sent matzo and grape juice to Luhansk. The Federation and the Federal Jewish Ethnic-Cultural Autonomy will send about 11 tons of food and medicine to Donetsk, Luhansk and Yenakiyevo.
