VIRTUAL KISHINEV - Friends of Kishinev Jewry

FRIENDS OF KISHINEV JEWRY

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JEWISH COMMUNITY OF KISHINEV, MOLDOVA
8 CHABAD-LUBAVITCH STREET
KISHINEV, MOLDOVA 270005

TEL/FAX: (3732)22-61-31
email: kishinev@virtual.co.il

F.K.J.

FRIENDS OF KISHINEV JEWRY
720 LEFFERTS AVE. #2
BROOKLYN, NY 11203

TEL/FAX: (718)756-0458
email: kishinev.jewry@worldnet.att.net

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Attention! Jewish Community of Kishinev now has its own Website!
http://www.kishinev.org.il

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Rabbi Abelsky addressing a crowd in Kishinev's Synagogue

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KISHINEV, THE CAPITAL OF MOLDOVA, long a part of the Soviet Unionis now the capital of
an independent republic and scene of a rebirth of Judaism and Jewish communal life. Through
the efforts of Rabbi and Mrs. Abelsky, and their dedicated staff, Kishinev is bubbling with
a full scope of Jewish activities that haven't been seen since the great emigrations of the
1900's.

Kishinev today is the scene of a rediscovery of Jewish heritage, spirites Torah learning, joyous
holyday celebrations, vibrant Jewish summer camps, and a humanitarian outreach program to
address the pressing material needs of a society in economic and social flux.

Join us and rejoice in creating a modern-day miracle. A Jewish renaissance is blossoming in
Kishinev now.

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President M. Snegur
The President of Moldova M. Snegur meets with Rabbi Abelsky

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KISHINEV ACTIVITIES

Adult Education

After School Programs

Bar Mitzvahs

Cemeteries

Charity funds

Children's Education

Circumcisions

Clothing Distribution

Hot Lunches

Jewish Newspaper

Jewish Schools

Kindergartens

Meals On Wheels

Radio and TV Programs

Senior Citizen Center

Summer Camps

Synagogue

Visiting the Sick

Yeshivas

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THE REBIRTH OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY - A MIRACLE OF FAITH, LOVE AND PLAIN HARD WORK

Spiritual Revival in Kishinev

Rabbi Zalman Abelsky's official title might be "Chief Rabbi", but to the Jews of Kishinev, he
is that and much more - a counselor, social worker, teacher - and mostly, a friend in need.
When the Abelskys left Israel to settle in Kishinev in 1990, Kishinev experienced a spiritual
earthquake.

Rabbi Abelsky set out to rebuild and restore: to rebuild the devastated Jewish community and to
restore to the Jews of Kishinev their identity as Jews. Against all odds, he established a flouri-
shing day school with 300 full time students (Jewish Secondary School #15). Today there is also
a day care center, a summer camp ("Gan Yisroel"), and a program of adult education courses that
inspire parents and grandparents alike.

Food for the body, too The entire region of C.I.S., the former Soviet Union, is in the throes of an economic nightmare.
Food is scarce and expensive and hospitals are without the most basic supplies. The Jews of
Moldova are victims of crushing poverty. To compound the disaster, a disproportionate number
of Jews in Kishinev are eldery and rely on pensions which can't even begin to cover their living
expenses.

We provide the students in our schools and camp with two nourishing meals a day, often the
only nutritious food they get. In addition, our soup kitchen provides needy adults with a hot meal
every day. For the homebound eldery, there is a "Meals on Wheels" program that provides some
200 eldery Jews with food several times a week.

If the Shabbat Table Could Speak... What a Tale it Would Tell There is a Chasidic maxim: "Just as water reflects the face of the gazer, so love within one heart
is reflected in the heart of the loved one." Nowhere can the truth of these words be more clearly
seen than at the Shabbat table of Mrs. Leah Abelsky. On an average Friday night 25 people
squeeze around the small table, but they don't mind, for they are enjoying festive delicacies that
appear weekly, as if by magic, even in Kishinev. Happy faces shine in the glow of candlelight,
and traditional melodies fill the room... the magic of a first Shabbat experience.

The emigration of young has left many eldery to fend for themselves in this terrible period of
unheaval. Regular visits to eldery, ill and hospitalized have raised spirits among this most
neglected segment of society. Along with caring and friendly visits, they receive food and life-
giving medical supplies which are generally unavailable in the region.

Weaving the fabric of a community The year's cyrcle of events is laying the foundation for the establishment of a visible, fully-
functionig Jewish community. Joyous traditional holiday celebrations are now part of life in
Moldova. The weadding of Rabbi and Mrs. Yankel Weiselbuch, president of the Jewish
community, was joyously celebrated by the entire community. The Jews of Kishinev stand in
decorated Sukkot booths, and recite the blessings over lulav and etrog. thousands mark the
exodus from Egypt in huge communal Passover ceders; costumed Mordechais and Esthers deliver
gifts to friends on Purim. A thousand Jews gathered on Lag B'Omer to celebrate their pride in
being Jews. How could all this have happened in the barren desert of the C.I.S.? The answer is:
Miracles still happen, especially when we join together.

Rabbi Abelsky leads the procession as a new Sefer Torah is brought to the Kishinev Shul

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Acknowledgement: The above text and images appear in the "Jewish Community
of Kishinev, Moldova" brochure originally published by Jacquelyn, Inc.

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Letter to the community by Rabbi Zushe Abelsky

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