Jewish Center in Transdniestria

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On Good Deeds Day, our community held the "Page Keepers" campaign 📚. It was led by those who are especially in need of care today—elderly people, participants of the Hesed Day Center. They didn't come for help—they came to help. In the small libraries at the Day Center and the Synagogue, they carefully sorted through the books, dusted them, and tidied up every corner. They worked attentively and warmly—as if they were tidying up not just shelves, but a part of their lives. 📖 The books are stacked neatly again. 🧹 The premises are clean. 🤍 Everything is ready for new gatherings. But behind this silence lies an unmistakable anxiety. Today, these same people ask the same question: will there be a tomorrow? Will there be a Day Center—a place where they don't feel alone? Where there is community, support, a reason to wake up in the morning and leave the house? For many of them, this isn't a club or a leisure activity. It's their only point of support. And today they say something that's impossible to read calmly: they're willing to give up a lot, just to preserve the Center itself. So that what remains is: - a space where you can come - people you can talk to - someone who brings you together and doesn't let you become isolated. The Day Center isn't just walls. It's the lives of dozens of elderly people for whom it has become a home away from home. ✨ Now, it's especially important to have those nearby who can support you. Those for whom someone else's old age is not someone else's. Sometimes a miracle isn't an accident. Sometimes a miracle is a person's decision not to pass by. JDC Volunteer Center RVC #RVC

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The "Memory of Generations" event took place in Tiraspol as part of Good Deeds Day 💙✨ The younger wing of our community—the kids from Tikva Ajt 👥 and volunteers—visited the Jewish cemetery, home to important memorial sites: the 1953 memorial 🕯️, a monument to the victims of repression, and an obelisk to the 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. The kids not only honored the memory 🙏 but also did a great job 💪: they cleaned up trash, pulled out grass, and tidied up the area 🌿🧹. Together, they removed more than 6 bags of trash 🗑️. During their work, the volunteers explained that this cemetery is a true "open-air archive" 📖. I was particularly impressed by the 1953 memorial, which encodes the history of the struggle for the right to preserve Jewish memory even during the years of prohibition. Such meetings help the younger generation not only learn about history, but also feel a connection to it. ❤️✨ Learn more about the event at https://vox.jct.md/pamyat-pokoleniy-aktsiya-dnya-dobrikh-del-v-tiraspole. If you'd like, you can donate to these kinds of events, as we really need the tools. https://jct.md/donate/ #rvc Volunteer Center RVC

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Good deeds that unite hearts 🫶❤ 🫶Today, our volunteers from Volunteer Center RVC, together with the Rybnitsa Jewish Community, took part in Good Deeds Day—a day that has already become a special tradition for many. In Rybnitsa, Good Deeds Day is invariably associated with an important and touching task: cleaning the old Jewish cemetery, a memorial to the prisoners of the Rybnitsa ghetto. This place preserves the memory of generations, of the people who once lived, loved, and built families and community. Caring for it is not just work, but a sign of respect, gratitude, and the preservation of history. From early morning, the participants gathered to tidy up the area: raking leaves, clearing paths, and tidying up gravestones. The work was difficult, but it took place in a warm, unifying atmosphere. Everyone understood that they were doing something important—not only for the present, but also for the future. ✡For many community members and volunteers, participating in such an event is an opportunity to touch history, feel the connection between generations, and contribute to preserving memory. 🙏Good Deeds Day once again reminded us: even a small effort made together can make a big difference. Care, respect, and remembrance are what make us a true community. 🫶We thank everyone who took part in the event for their work, concern, and open hearts. Such days leave behind not only cleanliness around us, but also the light within each of us. 🙏If you wish, you can donate to such events, as the tools are in great need https://jct.md/donate/ See https://vox.jct.md/dobrie-dela-kotorie-obedinyayut-serdtsa #RVC

✡️ Shabbat Shalom! שבת שלום 🕓 In Transnistria 🕯️ Candle lighting: 19:43 Parshat Acharei Mot-Kedoshim Havdalah: 20:53 ✅ Parshat "Acharei Mot-Kedoshim" speaks of holiness as a way to live with dignity and responsibility. After the story of the death of Aaron's sons, God teaches that closeness to the holy requires inner purity and respect. The second part calls: "Be holy, for I am holy." This means act with honor, do not seek revenge, care for your neighbors and the weak. The parshat reminds: holiness is not in rituals, but in human behavior. Every day can be made a little kinder. ❤️ We wish everyone a peaceful, quiet, and blessed Shabbat! Let there be peace in your souls and lightness in your hearts.

Israel's Independence Day (Yom Ha'atzmaut) is the country's main national holiday. It is celebrated annually on the Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday closest to Iyar 5, commemorating the proclamation of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948 (Iyar 5, 5708, Hebrew calendar). On this day, approximately eight hours before the expiration of the British Mandate for Palestine, the Israeli Declaration of Independence was signed and David Ben-Gurion (later Israel's first Prime Minister) announced the establishment of the State of Israel. The declaration of the Jewish state was based on a resolution of the UN General Assembly. Surprisingly, Israeli Independence Day is the only holiday not described in the Torah or bequeathed by Jewish sages. Nevertheless, it is celebrated in synagogues, and religious Jews associate Yom Ha'atzmaut with Geullah—deliverance from foreign rule, spiritual salvation. In any case, it is a joyful day when Jews from all over the world unite under the flag of their country. Happy Israel Independence Day! May this day remind you of the value of freedom, the power of unity, and the importance of preserving your roots. Peace and prosperity to Israel! #jdc #yomhaazmaut #jewishtradition

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Our community held an online event to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day, one of the most tragic chapters in Jewish history. Despite the distance, participants were able to gather in a warm and supportive atmosphere. This format is especially important for older people, who find it difficult to attend in-person meetings, but for whom the topic of remembrance remains deeply personal and meaningful. From the very first minutes of the meeting, it was clear that this was not just an event, but a space for remembrance, silence, and caring connection. The moderator gently guided participants through the main historical events, recalling the gradual disenfranchisement, the creation of ghettos, deportations, and the destruction of entire communities. Particular attention was paid to the fates of Jews in our region—in Tiraspol, Bender, Chisinau, Dubossary, and other cities where vibrant and large communities existed before the war. A separate story was told about the tragic events of 1941 in Dubossary, a place often referred to as "the local Babi Yar." These pages of history resonated particularly with the participants, for many of whom the memory of those events is linked to family histories. The most touching part of the meeting was the personal recollections. Nina Ryaboy, Nelly Barkina, and Dora Kryzhanovskaya shared their stories—recollections of the fates of loved ones, the trials they endured, and how the memory of the past is preserved in their families. These living testimonies imbued the meeting with special meaning and depth. During the event, a candle was lit in memory, and participants honored the memory of the victims with a moment of silence. Despite the online format, an atmosphere of unity, connection, and respect was created. Such meetings remind us of the most important thing: memory is not only about the past. They are about our responsibility today—to preserve, pass on, and cherish stories that must not be forgotten. see 👉https://vox.jct.md/pamyat-kotoraya-obedinyaet-onlayn-vstrecha-ko-dnyu-pamyati-zhertv-katastrofi #rvc Volunteer Center RVC

"Kindness for Tails" campaign 🐾 Join the campaign! 🐶🐱 We're collecting cereals and food for shelter animals. On Good Deeds Day, April 26th, we'll be delivering aid to those in need of care and attention. Don't pass by—do a good deed with us! Sometimes helping doesn't require much effort. Just bring a little food or cereal, and the animals at the shelter will have a chance at a well-fed day. We're waiting for you at 14 Kotovskogo Street, Tiraspol ☎phone: 77521135 #RVC Volunteer Center RVC

✡️ Shabbat Shalom! שבת שלום 🕓 In Transnistria 🕯️ New Month of Iyar Candle Lighting: 7:34 PM New Month of Iyar Chapter of Tazria Metzora Havdalah: 8:42 PM Memorial Day ✅ Chapter of Tazria Metzora speaks about purity of body and words. It reminds us that illnesses and outward signs often reflect the inner state of a person and society. When a person speaks unkindly, it hurts not only others, but also themselves. Healing begins with acknowledging the mistake and striving to correct it. Today, this idea teaches us responsibility for our words and care for the people around us—after all, purity of relationships is most important. ❤️ We wish everyone a peaceful, quiet, and blessed Shabbat! May your souls be calm and your hearts light.

This evening, April 13, 2026, a state ceremony will be held at Yad Vashem to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day. This year, the central theme of the commemoration events is "The Jewish Family During the Holocaust," and the traditional symbol will be the lighting of six torches in memory of the six million victims. For Israeli society, this is more than just an official ritual. It is a time when the personal stories of survivors are woven into a unified chronicle of resilience, faith, and the transmission of historical truth to future generations. The Jewish community of Tiraspol wholeheartedly joins in this commemoration. We share a common pain and pay tribute to the heroism of our people. For us, preserving the memory of the Holocaust is a sacred duty that connects us to our historical homeland and our roots. We remember... #jdc #yomhashoá #neveragian #jewish

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💛 In the current challenging economic climate, projects supporting the elderly are particularly important. One such project in our community is "Circle of Kindness"—an initiative based on mutual assistance and caring for one another. 👉The project's essence is simple and straightforward: community members bring to Hesed items they no longer need but could be useful to others—clothing, shoes, bedding, and household items. Volunteers sort and carefully arrange everything so that the elderly can calmly come and choose what they need. For many of our beneficiaries, this opportunity is a significant support. Pensions in the region remain extremely low—from $60 to $180—and this amount is often insufficient even for basic needs: nutritious food, medication, and utility bills, the cost of which has increased significantly. Medical services also remain difficult to access for most elderly people. 🫶In these circumstances, "Circle of Kindness" helps at least partially alleviate the financial burden. The opportunity to choose clothing or household essentials for free gives people not only practical assistance but also a sense of care, attention, and support from the Community. 🫶Social isolation remains a particular challenge: many elderly people live alone, don't have children nearby, or can't count on their support. This is the reality faced by a significant portion of the older generation in our region. 🙏The "Circle of Kindness" project becomes more than just a source of essential items for them, but an important symbol that they are not forgotten. It is a space where human compassion is demonstrated, where everyone can contribute and everyone can receive support. It is from such simple yet sincere steps that true community care is formed. https://vox.jct.md/krug-dobra-prostaya-pomoshch-kotoraya-menyaet-zhizn #rvc #jdc

✡️ Shabbat Shalom! שבת שלום 🕓 In Transnistria 🕯️ Candle lighting: 7:24 PM Parshat Shmini Shabbat mevarchim New Moon Iyar Havdalah: 8:31 PM Holocaust Remembrance Day ✅ Parshat Shmini describes the completion of the sanctuary's consecration and how joy is mixed with pain—for even a sacred place requires responsibility and moderation. It teaches that closeness to God, or simply to meaning and goodness, is impossible without respect for boundaries and mindfulness. It also lists clean and unclean animals—a reminder that spirituality is manifested even in everyday habits. Today, this is important as a lesson: freedom and holiness begin with inner discipline and respect for life. ❤️ We wish everyone a peaceful, quiet, and blessed Shabbat! Let there be peace in your souls and lightness in your hearts.

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The Tiraspol community celebrated one of the main holidays of the Jewish calendar—Passover, a holiday of freedom and renewal. During the holiday week, representatives of various generations of the community participated in festive events, ranging from children's and teen gatherings to educational programs. Each event became part of a shared atmosphere of unity, remembrance, and joy. A special event was the main community Passover Seder, which brought together community members and Hesed clients from Tiraspol, Bender, Dnestrovsk, and Rybnitsa. People of all ages gathered around the festive table to remember the story of the Exodus, experience the meaning of traditions, and share in this momentous occasion. The Seder was organized with the participation of the AJT youth club. The youth not only actively assisted in the preparation and execution of the event but also became a full-fledged part of the celebration itself: they performed skits, bringing liveliness and creativity to the event, participated in key stages of the Seder, and engaged with the older generation with genuine interest. It is precisely this living connection between generations that makes a community stronger and more resilient. When experience, traditions, and values are passed on not formally, but through shared participation, dialogue, and common experiences, confidence is built in a future in which traditions are not simply preserved, but continue to live and develop. #jdc #passover #jewishtradition

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✨ A Seder that unites ✨ Yesterday, a special online event was held for seniors with limited mobility and those celebrating the holiday alone. 🤍 In a warm and supportive atmosphere, we went through the main stages of the Seder together and learned about the symbols and traditions of Passover. 🍷📖 Despite the distance, we managed to create a feeling of true celebration and unity. 💙 Our goal is not just to hold a Seder, but to give each participant a sense of care, inclusion, and community. In keeping with our tradition, we do everything we can to ensure that no one is left alone on this day. 🤝 The event was hosted by the Volunteer Center RVC of Chisinau, Transnistria, and Balti. We went through all the stages together, participated in an interactive quiz, and discovered the most important things—understanding and memory. And that means our "afikoman" has been found. 🕯 We remember these events not for joy, but for remembrance and reflection. For more information about the event, see 👉https://vox.jct.md/seder-bez-granits-vmeste-nesmotrya-na-rasstoyanie-i-odinochestvo #RVC

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The Ajt JUNIOR children's club held an interactive Seder. It was structured in several stages so that each child could not only hear but also experience the story. The children recalled the events of the Exodus, discussed the 10 plagues of Egypt, and enthusiastically performed short costumed skits, assuming the roles of Moses, Pharaoh, and the Jewish people. The event was lively and dynamic: participants actively participated in relay races, completed tasks, played, and learned through movement and interaction. The celebration culminated in a real Seder at the table—with ke'ara, four glasses of grape juice, and all the traditional paraphernalia. This moment united everyone, creating a special sense of belonging to tradition. We believe that such events help children not just learn about history, but feel it, live it, and incorporate it into their lives. After all, it is through such moments that the living connection between generations is passed on and interest in the culture and traditions of their people is maintained. #jdc #AJTTIR #jewishtradition #passover

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✨ The warmth of traditions despite the circumstances ✨ The Passover holiday week in the Transnistrian community is rich and heartfelt ✡️ The online meeting brought together participants in all cities: they remembered history and traditions, sang favorite songs and shared warmth 🎶 ❄️ Despite the fact that due to economic difficulties there is no warmth in homes, we create our own - heartfelt and sincere ❤️ 👵👴 Thanks to the "Caring Connection" project, even from home, participants remain part of the community, communicate and feel supported 👉For more information about the event, see https://vox.jct.md/teplo-traditsiy-vopreki-obstoyatelstvam-kak-obshchina-vstrechaet-pesakh JDC

Dear friends and colleagues! We sincerely congratulate you on one of the most important holidays – Passover, the day our people were delivered from slavery and gained freedom. We sincerely wish you well-being, and may you always, in everything and everywhere, feel the benevolent presence of the Almighty! Be healthy, happy, and successful in your endeavors! Peace and goodness to your loved ones! Chag Pesach, kosher vesameach – a kosher and joyful holiday!

Spring is here, but there's no warmth... 🌬️ Due to the economic situation, the heating has already been turned off, and apartments are cold 🏠❄️Despite the calendar saying it's spring, it's still chilly in our region. This is especially hard for the elderly, for whom warmth is not only a matter of comfort but also a matter of health. Our volunteers are not standing idle—craftswomen are preparing yarn and knitting warm socks and footsies for those in need 🧶🧦 That's why the work of our craftswomen is so important. Each pair of knitted socks is not just a thing, but an expression of care, attention, and human compassion. Hesed volunteers put the warmth of their hands and hearts into their work to warm those who are going through a particularly difficult time. It's more than just things - it's warmth, care, and support ❤️ For more information, see https://vox.jct.md/teplo-sozdannoe-rukami-i-serdtsem JDC #RVC Volunteer Center RVC

✡️ Shabbat Shalom! שבת שלום 🕓 In Transnistria 🕯️ Candle lighting: 18:05 Great Shabbat Yom HaAliyah Chapter Tzav Havdalah: 19:10 Fast begins: 05:08 ✅ Chapter "Tzav" tells how the priests prepared offerings and maintained holiness in everyday affairs. It teaches attention to detail and responsibility for what is entrusted to a person. Even ordinary actions can have great meaning if done with respect and awareness. This idea is close to everyone: our habits shape us. "Tzav" reminds us that holiness is born from simplicity, if it is accompanied by care and gratitude. ❤️ We wish everyone a peaceful, quiet, and blessed Shabbat! May your souls be calm and your hearts light.

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✨ This week, the Literary Living Room hosted a meeting with poetess Nadezhda Bondarenko. 📖 A former investigator, today the editor of the newspaper Pravda Pridnestrovya, she presented her philosophical, civic, and humorous poems, and also talked about the fairy tales she writes. ✍️ Her clear position on life and sincerity resonated with our listeners. ❤️ Thanks to guest and volunteer Valery Kupershmidt for the warm atmosphere. 🤍 For more information about the event, see 👉https://vox.jct.md/literaturnaya-gostinaya-vsrecha-s-nadezhdoy-bondarenko Volunteer Center RVC #rvc

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Matzah is one of the main symbols of the Passover holiday and an important part of Jewish tradition. It recalls the events of the Exodus from Egypt, when the Jews left slavery in a hurry and did not have time to let the dough rise. This is why matzah is unleavened bread, a symbol of freedom, faith, and trust in the Almighty. During Passover, matzah holds a special place on the holiday table, uniting families and generations, helping to maintain a connection with the history and traditions of the people. Today, matzah is being actively distributed to members of Jewish communities in all cities and districts of Transnistria. Hesed staff, with the support of volunteers, are doing everything possible to ensure that every person in our care receives matzah for the holiday. Our region is currently experiencing not only a difficult economic situation but also a certain isolation. Therefore, it is especially important for our beneficiaries to feel remembered and not forgotten. Even a small pack of matzah is not just a product, but a sign of attention, care, and human warmth. 🫶For most, this isn't just a product, but an important part of the holiday and a symbol of belonging to tradition. 💬Irina Nikolaevna Soiferman shares: "Thank you so much for receiving the matzah. It's very important to us! A huge thank you to Hesed for its support. Happy upcoming holiday to everyone!" 💬Yan Galperin notes: "This is a miracle in the current situation. Thank you to everyone who helped." Such words of gratitude are the best appreciation for the shared work that combines care, attention, and the preservation of traditions. On the eve of Passover, it is especially important to feel the support, unity, and warmth of the community. https://vox.jct.md/matsa-simvol-svobodi-veri-i-pamyati-ob-iskhode-iz-egipta #RVC JDC