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10,000 Soviet Jews Attended Lubavitch Seders Page 13-THE NEWS-June/July 1989 Students Hosted **Parents Day’* at School (JTA) — Some 10,000 So viet Jews waiting in Italy sat down to what was for most of them their first Pesach seder ever. The Chabad-Lu- bavitch organization made the seders and sent in rab binic student volunteers from New York and Israel to lead them. Like the Hasidic tale of the Jew who still remembered the tree in the forest, but no longer remembered the pray er, for most of these Soviet Jews, “it was a tradition to remember the matzah, but not all the halachot,” said Rabbi Yitzhak Chazan, the Lubavitcher rebbe’s emis sary in Rome, who oversaw the giant operation. Chazan, in a telephone interview from Rome, said “80 percent might know the details of Pesach” and “some maybe remembered to get matzah, but not to keep kosher for Pesach.” But of all the 9,600 Soviet Jews now in Ladispoli and surround ing Italian towns, only “about 1 to 2 percent” have ever experienced a Pesach seder, Chazan estimated. That is how many Jews are now registered in the transit center in Rome, he said, but Jewish agencies expected a full 10,000 to gather in the Italian towns when Passover began. “Each day, there are 100 arrivals,” Chazan said. Lubavitch, which is work- insT in tandem with the American Jewish Joint Dis tribution Committee, held classes for these Soviet Jews on the meaning of Passover, the festival of freedom. Of the Soviet Jewish child ren in the Italian towns who have been attending schools administered jointly by Lu bavitch and the Joint, “most already knew the ‘Ma Nish- tana’ (Four Questions), even those who had recently ar rived. In the town of Santa Ma- rinella, Lubavitch an nounced it distributed a kilo (2.2 pounds) of matzoh to each family. “We had a crowd of about 800 to 900 by 6 a.m.,” said Chazan. “The local residents didn’t under stand what was going on. They called the police.” The seders Lubavitch ar ranged were gargantuan. A seder for 1,200 took place in an athletic field in Ladispoli, which the town’s mayor let them use at no charge. In Santa Marinella, 1,800 So viet Jews sat down in two rooms of one building. Although it is a time of frustration for the Soviet “waitniks,” most of whom wish to come to America as refugees, the time being spent in Ladispoli and other towns may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Chazan likened this time to the 40 years the Jews spent wandering in the de sert after leaving Egypt, unlearning their past and preparing themselves anew for entry into a Jewish life. “It’s a good moment for them to get closer to Yiddish- keit,” he said. “I think most of them don’t get to know something if they go straight to America.” Lubavitch has set up Jew ish libraries in Russian for the emigres, and there are shiurim (classes) from 7 a.m. to midnight, Chazan said. He praised the Joint, with whom he said Chabad had a “beautiful rapport,” but bewailed the financial straits it is in as the Soviet influx grows. The Joint was only able to provide 25 per cent of the funding Chabad requested, he said, and the only hot food on the seder tables were thousands of hard-boiled eggs. The students hosted a spe cial Happy Parents’ Day Coffee in honor of Mother’s and Father’s Day. The par ents were treated to a morn ing of entertainment and service by the children. The children labored days in advance in preparation for this special event, which served as parents apprecia tion day. They baked, deco rated and frosted individual cakes for their parents. In addition to the many table settings and centerpieces, the children made and pres ented to their parents beau tiful corsages which they pinned on the mothers. The parents, served coffee and refreshments by their children, were pampered to their hearts delight. Actual ly, it is a Mitzvah to honor one’s parents each and every day of the year, but it is nice that a day is selected to highlight the importance of this Mitzvah. Students of the kinder garten held a unique musical performance for the parents, under the guidance of Terry Tucker, afternoon and music teacher. Education Day USA Celebrated Senator Jesnc Helms spoke at the celebration. April 16 this year marked the 87th birthday of Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe Shli- ta. Many communities around the world celebrated this day to honor this illus trious Jewish Leader. A most remarkable cele bration was held on Capitol Hill in Washingrton, D.C. to mark this day as Education Day U.S.A. A Mil passed both houses of Congress designating April 16 as “Ed ucation Day” and it was signed by President George Bush in an Oval Office ce remony at the White House. Congressmen spoke at the Capitol Hill celebration which was attended by hundreds of delegates from all over the country. Each one expressed admiration of the Rebbe’s many activities in the field of education. Senator Jesse Helms (R- NC) spoke of his admiration of the work of Lubavitch in Israel, which he p>ersonally visited a few years ago on a private mission to that coun try. Also present were Reps. Howard Coble and Cass Bal linger both from North Ca rolina. R USSELL '5 PHOTOGRAPHY iRi • Studio Near Pinevills. N. C. • E. ROBIN RUSSELL PORTRAITS WEDDINGS SPECIAL EVENTS COMMERCIAL CALL: 542-8711 DAYS OR EVENINGS There will be no CJN in July Next Issue Aug. Deadline July 10 Children performing for parents. Parents and children enjoyed the cupcakes. HONOmNGIK ONHSBBIHW WSSWttSW Queat Ctty jCiweiuiiie Service WE MAKE IT SPEQAU . W1 ‘J, If Corporate Service • Airport Trips Weddings • Special Occasions Penny Laufer 846-6089 Craig Lauter ca/i 704/364-4316 IN AN EMERGENCY CALL THE DOCTOR 24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE AVAILABLE DO YOU HAVE □ a sick computer? □ an ailing printer? IS YOUR SYSTEM □ outdated? □ not adequate to meet your needs? DO YOU NEED □ a new disk drive? □ additional software? SUPER LOW REPAIR RATES AND REASONABLE PRICES NO CHARGE IF NOT REPAIRABLE Formerly the Computer Connection // "Jtjeels like home. At FAIR OAKS we understand the importance of smiles, laughter, and companionship. That’s what life among friends Is all about. 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The Charlotte Jewish News (Charlotte, N.C.)
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June 1, 1989, edition 1
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