After diplomatic relations between the USSR and Israel were restored on October 18, 1991, its cultural centers began to be created in our country. Today, in the former republics of the Soviet Union, they operate in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kiev, Kharkov, Chisinau, Baku, Minsk, Odessa, Novosibirsk. The largest of them is the center located in Moscow on the 4th floor of the Plekhanov Plaza business center, located at 38 Stremyanny Lane. His photo opens the article.
Cultural Center Areas
Like all other organizations of this type, the Israeli cultural center in Moscow was founded at the initiative of the government of this Middle Eastern state. The main goal of its creation is to provide everyone with a wide range of information about the history and modern life of Israel. It covers culture, science, economics, the social sphere and many other areas.
As part of this program, employees of the Israeli Cultural Center in Moscow are carrying out work that includes, in addition to consultations conducted at the level of personal conversations, a number of activities aimed at familiarizing visitors with periodicals published in Israel both in Russian and in Hebrew. All kinds of video and audio materials are offered to their attention, as well as prospectuses relating to everything that is directly related to the country.
New techniques in the study of Hebrew
One of the most important aspects of the activities of the Israeli Cultural Center in Moscow is the help in the study of Hebrew, provided not only to those who intend to connect their future destiny with their historical homeland, but also to everyone who wants to get acquainted with this language, rooted in ancient times.
Experienced teachers, many of whom are sent to Moscow by the University of Jerusalem, in addition to continuing courses, conduct periodic trainings that use the most advanced techniques. One of them, tested in the past year, allows students to learn up to one new word every minute and at the same time contributes to their stable memorization.
See Jerusalem and ... love
In addition, a youth club has been created at the Israeli Cultural Center in Moscow, all interested persons from 11 to 17 years old can become members of it. One of the sides of his activity is the organization of summer trips to Israel and familiarization with the sights of the country.
In particular, in August 2017, a visit to Jerusalem by young Muscovites is planned. They will see a city in which ancient history has merged with modern life, and biblical heroes have transformed into modern residents.
Activities for the study and promotion of Jewish culture
The Israeli Cultural Center in Moscow, the address of which is given at the beginning of the article, has an extensive library. It contains books and various periodicals published in many languages of the world, including, of course, Hebrew. Everyone can use library collections.
Meetings with the leading representatives of modern Israeli science and culture, as well as with well-known public figures and activists of various political organizations in Israel, deserved great popularity among the regulars of the center.
As part of the cultural and educational programs that occupy an important place in the work of the center, a large number of thematic exhibitions are regularly held, as well as festivals and concerts where national Jewish music is performed and verses of Hebrew-speaking poets are played. Often, Israeli pop artists touring Russia become participants in concerts.
National Holidays at the Center for Jewish Culture
Of course, the Israeli cultural center in Moscow does not ignore such an important side of the national Jewish culture as holidays, most of which are religious. They are celebrated in full accordance with the Jewish tradition, the observance of which is entrusted to experienced rabbis, both Moscow and specially coming from the Promised Land.
In addition to the annual cycle of religious holidays, a Shabbat (Saturday) meeting is organized every Friday evening, the seventh day of the week according to Jewish calculus, in which pious Jews should refrain from work, attend the synagogue and fill time with prayers and reading religious books.
There are fewer secular significant days in the Israeli calendar than religious days, but the Cultural Center in Stremyanny Lane does not bypass them. All of them, one way or another, are connected with the events of the 20th century that determined the fate of modern Israel, and therefore each of them enjoys great respect and popularity among the people. On their eve, the center’s employees hold various events aimed at familiarizing the wide circles of the Jewish diaspora with the history of the formation, formation and further development of modern Israel.