The Shaarei Tsedek Charity Center in Moscow hosted a visit from the Vice-Consul of the Embassy of Israel in Russia, Elik Golender, who is also the husband of Israeli Ambassador to Russia Dorit Golender.
The activity at the Shaarei Tsedek Center these days can easily be seen, as staff-members distribute food packages and matzah to 15,000 local Jews. The Center is alive with action as people attend the various regular and pre-holiday programs run by the Center. Whether visiting the library or participating in the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s campaign "Put on Tefillin!" being carried out by Jewish students, the medical center or information department, all aspects of the Center are running at full capacity.
Mr. Golender personally toured the Center’s premises, the soup kitchen and the Yiddish language lessons taking place in the center, where he talked with participants and told stories about his family. During a lengthy meeting with Shaarei Tsedek director, Rabbi Shaya Deutch and the head of the Charity Programs, Leah Ratner, they discussed documentation of Jewish ancestry. Ms. Ratner, who is also the Executive Director of the Chevra Kadisha, described the organization’s work in making the necessary arrangements for a traditional Jewish funeral.
Mr. Golender’s trip concluded with a visit to the site where holiday food packages and matzah are being distributed. The diplomat was shown what each food package contains and was made aware of special “kosher for Passover” designation on the items.