Tomsk, Russia – Siberian Community Marks First Chuppa

Tomsk, Russia – For the first time in many decades and perhaps even a century, the Synagogue in Tomsk hosted a genuine Jewish Chuppa. Chief Rabbi of Tomsk Levi Kamenetsky conducted the wedding ceremony in strict accordance with Jewish laws.

Despite outdoor temperatures of minus 25 below zero centigrade, newlyweds Bella and Yevgeny underwent this traditional rite in full merriment. It is no coincidence that they decided to celebrate this occasion in the local Synagogue, since this is the place where they first met one another. On that fateful day, they were both in attendance for a lecture delivered by Rabbi Kamenetsky, who also serves as a Chabad Lubavitch emissary to this part of Russia. [fjc]