[PHOTOS BY JDN IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

The Jewish community of Abakan, Russia – celebrates the opening of their first Jewish Community Center and Synagogue. The inauguration ceremony was held earlier this month and was attended by Chief Rabbi Lazar, the local Governor Mr. Gregory Pichotnik, local politicians, and hundreds of community members.

The new JCC and Synagogue of Abakan was built thanks to the efforts of the Federation of Jewish Communities of the CIS, while Rabbi Benjamin Wagner and Mr. Uri Lipchitz, the Rabbi and head of the Jewish community of neighboring Krasnoyarsk, led the building of the beautiful campus to completion.

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