Once they banned bar mitzvahs, now a community is taking revenge

Have you ever heard of Moldova?

Transnistria? Bessarabia, perhaps? The Russians, Romanians and Nazi’s tried to dominate the narrative of this tiny country in Europe, carving it up, renaming it and inevitably unleashing aggression on its defenseless Jewish inhabitants. Perhaps the name Kishinev rings a bell? It should. Now called Cishinau, Moldova’s capital was the site of a vile pogrom that even caused outrage in the Western world in 1903. Ultimately however, it demonstrated that Jews could be victimized with impunity. This lesson culminated in the murder and deportation of tens of thousands of Jews under Nazi Occupation and Romanian collaboration – and millions more. And then came the Soviets who confiscated and closed the shuls and repressed Judaism to the point of banning bar mitzvah ceremonies in 1961! All this makes Jewish Moldova’s resurgence all the more astonishing – as well as an important example to the Jewish world that we will outlive and outlast our enemies. Jewish revenge is sweet – it means coming back stronger, prouder and more connected than before.

Jewish Moldova today is experiencing an unprecedented revival. After the fall of communism, Russian-born Rabbi Zalman and Leah Abelsky left their life and family in Israel in 1990 to establish Chabad of Moldova, encouraged by the Lubavitcher Rebbe to rekindle the sparks so many had tried to extinguish. Against all odds, they established a flourishing day school with 300 full time students, a day care center, a summer camp, and a program of adult education courses. Since his father’s passing, Rabbi Zushe Abelsky has taken on the role of Head Shliach, and together with his wife Chaya, has continued to build Jewish life. The couple divide their time between New York and Moldova and raise funds in America. Last month, Rabbi Zushe and Chaya traveled to Kishinev to join a third generation of Abelskys for Tishrei!

Rabbi Shneur Zalman and Chana Tiefenbrun (née Abelsky) recently began their shlichus in Kishinev, ready and willing to do whatever it takes to power this ongoing revival, assisting three other couples on this important shlichus. On 18 Tishrei, the Abelsky’s celebrated their daughter Nechama’s bas mitzvah – by sharing it with the community’s young girls – as well as their mothers. They danced, baked challah, learned about candle lighting and heard all about Jewish womanhood from Nechama, who called the celebration “Our bas mitzvah”. This was the best revenge against over a century of persecution!

Hundreds of Jews visited Chabad of Moldova over Yom Kippur and Succos including a young man who was traveling in transit through Moldova. Landing at the airport and before catching his connecting flight, he spotted the Chabad stand usually manned by Shliach Rabbi Zalmanov. Picking up his business card, this man got into a taxi and called Rabbi Zalmanov for directions. Since October 7th, he had felt a pull to reconnect to his Judaism and had started to put on the tefillin he had once abandoned. Now, he sat singing and eating in a busy, vibrant Succah, his heart open and connected to generations past and future. This is Jewish revenge.

Hundreds more Jews traveling to or from Uman from all over the world also found warm hospitality in Kishinev. Rabbi Zalmanov is busy all year round with mivtzoim, teaching and communicating with travelers (as well as refugees from Russia’s war on Ukraine) while his wife Chayale runs an early childhood centre, a preschool, an after-school and Sunday program. She also runs CTeen and Rosh Chodesh groups for both senior and younger women.

The Shul is led by Rabbi Axelrod who teaches classes, supervises the kitchen and is overseeing the construction of the community’s first mikva (Mikva Liel, opening in January)! Chaya Mushka Axelrod is involved with outreach to Israeli students studying at a nearby college and is instrumental in attracting women to the programs and events on offer. In nearby Bendery, Transnistria another Chabad couple has opened a school for Jewish children. More sweet revenge.

All these shluchim are working tirelessly, with great mesiras nefesh to re-establish Jewish family life, reignite Jewish pride, and provide Jewish education to young and old. Together, they will win the war of Jewish survival, despite the battles fought and lost over the last century. While no one can understand the tragedies that decimated Moldova and Transnistria’s Jewish communities, seeing this resurgence of Jewish life and education in this young democracy is a great comfort. Given enough support, Chabad of Moldova will ensure that every Jew is ready to greet Moshiach. May it be soon!