The Jewish community of Donetsk celebrated the “Rosh Hashana of Chassidus” on the 19th of Kislev, marking the release from prison of the first Rebbe of Chabad-Lubavitch.
This year’s event will be remembered well, as participants were enthralled by a surprise guest, Soviet music star Aida Vedischeva. Her songs are well known by all, many of which were featured on the soundtracks of popular Soviet films. They and dozens of others entered the hall of fame, so to speak, as far as Soviet music goes.
In the 1970s, Aida Vedischeva (born Ida Weiss) emigrated to the United States, where she made her career on the stage. On the American scene, her stage name was Amazing Aida. The much-celebrated guest offered good wishes the audience on the occasion of this wonderful holiday.
Ms. Vedischeva told the guests details of her life story that have not been written about, touching them to tears. She spoke of how, once she was already living in the U.S.A., she embraced Judaism and that, at her most difficult moments, her faith in G-d was the one thing that got her through the hard times. During treatment for a serious illness that was thought to be terminal, she took only one thing to the hospital with her – the Torah. This great singer also spoke about the role the Lubavitcher Rebbe played in her life.
Shaul Melamed spoke about the history of Yud Tes Kislev, when Rabbi Shneur Zalman, founder of Chabad Chassidism, was liberated from Czarist prison. He underlined that the Rebbe’s release gave a powerful impetus to spread his teachings, the cornerstone of which was the book “Tanya” that he wrote.
While the adult program was taking place, children enjoyed a number of games and a special educational program. Miriam Nicholas and Victoria Khachatryan, teachers from the community center, did everything to ensure that the dozens of youngsters could also fully enjoy this occasion, as well as learn a lot about the events of 19 Kislev.
The Jewish community of Donetsk is as leading member of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine.