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JEWS IN RIGA CELEBRATE THE HIGH-HOLIDAYS
This month, Chabad in Riga was most active. The month's many holidays supplied the enthusiastic Jewish Community of Riga with a never-ending amount of activities & sense of accomplishment. A major mailing comprising of a beautifully designed Shabbat candle lighting timetable was sent out to over 2000 Jewish families in Latvia! Jews of Riga celebrated the holiday of Rosh Hashana in an atmosphere of holiness, awe & Jewish pride. Everyone joined together in heartfelt prayer for a happy, healthy & sweet new year. On the second day of Rosh Hashana, the multitude of Jews quickly filled & packed Riga's large synagogue in excitement & readiness. Two inspiring programs had been organized to cater to adults & children's individual needs. All learnt about the sanctity and importance of the holiday of Rosh Hashana. An eye-catching & creative Jewish calendar was distributed through the aid the JDC to the countless participants who attended this exceptional program. In a powerful symbol of Jewish unity, all then gathered together and walked to Riga's river to perform the ritual of Tashlich. In unison, everyone recited the prayer aloud and then listened to the powerful blasts of the Shofar being sounded outside & in broad daylight in the streets of Riga. The powerful and breathtaking effect of this successful assembly could be seen in the expressions of many participants. In addition, Jewish residents of Riga were treated to a special surprise this month. The opening of a kosher coffee shop – Lechaim! Jews can now gather together and dine in an ambiance of elegance, class and style. A wide-ranging menu of delicious kosher food is offered. Choices vary from the traditional gefilte fish to the all Israeli pita and falafel. Situated in close proximity to the Jewish Community Center, it greatly facilitates access for all of Riga's Jews & tourists too! Most important, Lechaim! is a one-stop shop that offers everything a Jew would require in Judaica & Jewish reading material. Products vary from a Mezuza, a Kippa, the Torah translated in Russian to a Jewish musical CD! Lechaim! is the number one spot for all of Riga's Jews! The holiday of Sukkot, a time of great rejoicing was also celebrated here. Chabad organized a day of festivities and entertainment in Riga's main park. Over 500 people participated in this grand event. The crowd was treated to a special program: The musical performance of an original Jewish band, a carnival comprised of diverse entertainment booths and a children's dance performance. The intense happiness & jubilation was expressed by all & was so powerful that it attracted many a passerby to come & check out this momentous event. Most important, all those who partook in the festivities had the opportunity to perform the mitzvah of "Lulav & Etrog", which for many was the very first time! A large Sukkah was erected as well and all participants were able to share a snack and recite the blessing of the Sukkah inside. The event was brought to a close with a grand raffle with special prizes such as a camera, a watch, a stereo system, and other grand rewards. In addition, at "Ohel Menachem", the Chabad Lubavitch Day School in Riga, many diverse & stimulating activities were organized for the students on each day of Chol Hamoed. To name a few: A magnificent Sukkah building contest, Sukkah decorating, dining together in the Sukkah and so on. Thus, the students were able to learn about this holiday in an enjoyable and productive manner. After long months of preparations, planning & building, a long time dream of the Jewish community has come true. Chabad Lubavitch opened the doors of a state of the art women's Mikvah beautifully designed to fit the needs of all. It is strategically situated in a quiet area in the center of the city rendering it easily accessible in privacy and confidentiality. Those wishing to lead their lives in purity and sanctity are now able to do so in comfort and elegance. Chabad cares for the people of today and is preparing for the generation of tomorrow. back |
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