[PHOTOS BY JDN IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

In a unparalleled emotional atmosphere, the new Novomoskovski (נובומוסקובסקי) Beis HaChaim was inaugurated in the periphery of Moscow by the Moscow Central Chevra Kadisha headed by Chief Rabbi HaGaon HaRav Berel Lazar Shlita. Attending the auspicious event was the rav of the Tel Aviv Chevra Kadisha and senior Zaka official Rav Yaakov Rosa Shlita, who is also a member of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel Council. Rav Rosa is a veteran contributor assisting acts of chessed in Russia over recent years.

The special tefilla for ‘קידוש בית החיים’ was recited in the presence of local rabbonim and members of the chevra kadisha. Hakofos were carried out as the tefilla was recited and the shofars were sounded as is the minhag.

The hakofos were conducted around the borders of the beis chaim, which was contributed by Friends of the Caucasian community in Moscow headed by Chabad shaliach Rabbi Avraham Ilgoiv (אילגוייב). When the tefilos and hakofos were completed a ‘l’chaim’ followed including the rabbonim, the benefactors and the rav of Beis Knesses ‘בלשוי ברוניא’ located in Central Moscow, Rabbi Yitzchak Kogen.

The rabbonim praised the activities of the Chessed Shel Emmes in Russia, especially in Moscow, and concluded with the bracha that the new beis chaim will not have to be used and that it should be “להלכה ולא למעשה”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photos: JDN)