As a celebration of the formation of the Jewish nation, Pesach (Passover) is an important event in Jewish history. The Passover holiday symbolizes the Exodus from Egypt and the liberation from bondage. Once they left Egypt, our ancestors were freed from physical burden, but spiritual freedom was and still is a battle to be won each day during our whole lifetime, a process that should be passed down to our grandchildren.
The first and the second evening of Pesach (this year they are celebrated on Apil 19th and 20th) are accompanied by a special festival meal called the “Seder.” The Seder is rife with commandments and traditions, which have the important goal of helping us survive the Exodus.
At the Kishinev Synagogue, many synagogue members gathered with special guests, their relatives and friends to celebrate this special meal.
The second Seder, which took place at the “philharmonica” hall was conducted by Rahamim Belenky, was attended by the whole community and by Rabbi Zalman’s large family. It was a real traditional Jewish “Mishpaha” (family) with the solemn songs and words of the Haggadah (the traditional text of the Seder that recounts the story of Exodus). As usual, every guest had three pieces of matzah with kearah-a Seder plate with foods symbolizing the Exodus (z’roa, maror, beitzah, charoset, karpas, chazeret).
Everything was according to tradition: the blessing of the food; prayers for every stage of the Seder; maggid, the story about the Exodus; the post-meal blessing; hallel, the glorification of G-d; and, finally, nirtza, a prayer at the end of the Seder.
At the end everybody said “Leshono habo’oh beyerushalayim!”-“Next year in Jerusalem!”
Zushe Abelsky, the son of Rabbi of Kishinev and Moldova Zalman Abelsky, was in Kishinev with his family to celebrate Pesach. Rebbetzin Leah, recently was in New York for the Bar Mitzvah of Zushe’s son Mendel. Many people were at the Bar Mitzvah to celebrate the coming of age of one of our Rabbi’s numerous grandsons. During Pesach this young man assumed the great responsibility of praying during the week of Pesach. Mendel proved to be a great Cantor and read the Torah marvelously in a crowded synagogue.
“The atmosphere in the synagogue makes me optimistic,” says Zushe “I see the Jewish community becoming more powerful this year. It is due to the special role of the People that are beginning to recognize themselves as a part of a synagogue. I noticed their special attitude to their work, demonstrated by Rabbi Zalman’s assistant Rahamim Belenky and administrator Daniel Muntean. I also noticed the excellent job done by Nehama Dina; she is also very active in maintaining relations with community members. Roman Aronov’s contribution of legal advice is quite considerable.
I should also mention the names of businessmen who help our synagogue everyday. The brothers Naum and Simon Vainberg; Leonid Volniansky, whose name is well known in the republic; and Leonid Shapochnic, who devoted his energy and efforts to supporting the activity of Kishinev Jewish community.
I am very glad that the number of people coming to the synagogue is increasing day by day. The Jewish community’s members come from different parts of life: teachers, students, retired people and businessmen.”
Zushe had special words of gratitude for his wife Chaya who epitomizes the modern business woman: fit, beautiful and charming. “She is my best assistant”, said Zushe proudly.
Chaya is a director of a big American nonprofit organization called the NonProfit Help Desk or NPHD which assists more than 800 nonprofit organizations nationwide. “It should be mentioned that these organizations are not exclusively Jewish organizations. We are glad to help everybody; our support is not limited by religion, race, age and gender. We provide our clients with consulting and equipment nationwide. We find sponsors to provide financial support of new organizations. Our service is financed by the state and council of founders.” said Chaya.
Apart from Mendel, who was very busy with his synagogue service, Zushe’s two younger daughteres were at the Seder. The older one, Zelda, is a very serious young lady and interested in computers. The younger sister Chana has a lot of energy and entertained everybody by her attempts to help Rebbetzin Leah in the kitchen (who told her she was sure that the best way to help was not to interfere).
Other relatives of Rabbi Zalman Abelsky from America and from Israel visited as well. Among those who came were Efrat Rachel, Rabbi Zalman’s grandauther, and her husband Menashe from Lod. “What is your attitude to the current situation in Moldova?” I asked this young couple. They answered joyfully. “We think that Jews should remain Jews!”
Riva Rozner
Filharmonica Hall in the heart of Kishinev where the main "Passover seder" took place. Chabad Lubavitch Kishinev Moldova
Mendel Abelsky reading the Torah
Click here to view a full album
