Kishinev Establishes First Public Sukkah 120 Years After Pogroms

For the first time in over 120 years, since the Kishinev pogroms, a public Sukkah has been erected in the center of Kishinev, Moldova, at the "kilometer zero" point. The initiative, spearheaded by the "770 Kishinev" community and Rabbi Eliyahu Freidkin, has become a symbol of growing cooperation between the Jewish community and local authorities.

The Sukkah has attracted a diverse crowd, including local Jewish community members, Israelis visiting for heritage trips, and Jewish refugees from Ukraine seeking refuge in Moldova. The erection of the Sukkah in such a symbolic location has drawn significant attention from passersby.

This initiative follows the success of the Jewish community at the 25th Ethno-Cultural Festival, held under the theme "Unity in Diversity." The community's booth saw considerable interest not only from local minority groups but also from Iranian and Syrian residents of Moldova.

Alex Schmidt, director of the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) in Kishinev, expressed his emotion at the event, stating, "The Sukkah, by its very nature, is imperfect, and it reminds us that even when the reality around us is complex, we continue to unite, believe, and hope. In these times, when there is still so much pain, I pray that the Sukkot holiday will bring good tidings, peace, and quiet." He thanked Rabbi Freidkin and the "770 Kishinev" community for the initiative.

The "770 Kishinev" community is experiencing a period of growth, including the launch of youth programs like "Young & Jew" for ages 12 to 37. With support from the Conference of European Rabbis and close cooperation with Moldovan authorities, Kishinev is presented as a unique example of Jewish revival and tolerance in Eastern Europe.